Mr Mekki, 58, said he had tried to resign on 7 November but that circumstances had forced him to remain.

BBC: Egypt vice-president resigns on final day of referendum

On Sunday, Mr Mursi also appointed Mahmoud Mekki as vice-president, a senior judge who fought for judicial independence under Hosni Mubarak.

BBC: Egypt President Mursi explains army chief replacement

The Egyptian justice minister, Ahmad Mekki, has condemned the lynching and killing.

BBC: Egyptian villagers lynch two men

"It is the state's responsibility to do justice and see that justice is done and provide security for its people, " Mr Mekki added.

BBC: Egyptian villagers lynch two men

The BBC's Shaimaa Khalil in Cairo says Mr Mekki appeared to be giving the impression that he was unhappy with not being consulted on key decisions.

BBC: Egypt vice-president resigns on final day of referendum

Morsy appointed Mekki to the post earlier this year.

CNN: Egypt's VP resigns amid vote over draft constitution

Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- Egyptian Vice President Mahmoud Mekki is stepping down from his post, state-run Nile TV announced Saturday, amid a second round of voting on the country's Islamist-backed draft constitution.

CNN: Egypt's VP resigns amid vote over draft constitution

"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.

CNN: Egypt's VP resigns amid vote over draft constitution

Mekki said he resigned last month, but stayed on because he had to tend to a number of important issues, including the controversy over the new constitution, according to his resignation letter published by the state-run MENA news agency.

CNN: Egypt's VP resigns amid vote over draft constitution

He also named Mahmoud Mekki as his vice president, and he reversed a June constitutional decree by the Supreme Council that claimed to retain legislative authority until a new parliament could be sworn in near the end of the year, Ali said.

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