Mahmoud Mekki, Egypt’s VP, resigns amid constitution referendum

Mahmoud Mekki, Egypt's vice president, resigned Saturday, along with central bank governor Farouq el-Oqdah, as the country continued its vote on a new constitution. 

Vice President Mahmoud Mekki had attempted to resign in November, and said that politics and his duties within the Morsi government did not line up with his background as a judge, the Associated Press reported. 

"I realized since taking the position that the nature of the political duties does not suit my professionalism as a judge, so I submitted my resignation on November 7," Mekki said on his Facebook page, according to CNN. "I will remain a volunteer soldier available for the interest of the nation at anytime."

The 58-year old was a respected judge before he was named vice president by Morsi in August, and said he stayed on past his initial resignation due to Egypt's unrest and the Gaza-Israel conflict, which ended in a truce brokered by Egypt, Deutsche Welle reported. 

El-Oqdah did not give a reason for his resignation, but he met with Islamist President Mohamed Morsi and his Prime Minister Hesham Kandil earlier this week, prompting speculation that the leaders were trying to keep him from leaving, the AP reported. 

The new constitution, which is still being voted on in Egypt but is expected to pass, does not include the position of vice president, according to CNN.

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