Egypt’s main Islamist party has called off a demonstration in Cairo, amid a crisis over the extent of President Mohammed Mursi’s powers.

The Muslim Brotherhood said it would not hold the protest on Tuesday, as originally planned, “to avoid clashes”.

Opponents of President Mursi and of the brotherhood have said they would hold their own protest against a decree giving the president sweeping powers.

Mr Mursi has been meeting senior judges in an effort to defuse the crisis.

Ahead of Monday’s meeting he expressed confidence that a solution would be found.

“President Mursi is very optimistic that Egyptians will overcome this challenge as they have overcome other challenges,” spokesman Yasser Ali told reporters ahead of meeting,

Later Mr Ali said the president had reassured the judges that the decree would be confined to key matters of “sovereignty”.

There is no word so far from the judges. The president’s opponents have called on the new powers to be rescinded outright.

The decree, issued last week, says no authority can revoke presidential decisions.

There is a bar on judges dissolving the assembly, which is drawing up a new constitution. The president is also authorised to take any measures to preserve the revolution, national unity or safeguard national security.

The move has sparked violent protests in Cairo and across the country.

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