they are then presented to, discussed and approved by the new House of Representatives within
fifteen days from the commencement of its session. If such decrees are neither presented nor
discussed by the House, or if they are presented but not ratified thereby, their force of law shall
retroactively be revoked without need for issuing a decision to that effect, unless the House
confirms its effectiveness during the previous period or decides to settle the consequences
thereof.
Article (157)
Without prejudice to the provisions of the Constitution, the President of the Republic may call
for a referendum on issues relating to the supreme interests of the State.
In case a call for referendum involves more than one issue, voting must be made separately on
each issue.
Article (158)
The President of the Republic may submit his resignation to the House of Representatives. If the
House has not been elected, he shall submit the same to the General Assembly of the Supreme
Constitutional Court.
Article (159)
Accusing the President of the Republic of violating the provisions of the Constitution, treason or
any other felony must be based on a motion signed by at least the majority of the members of the
House of Representatives. The indictment shall only be issued by the majority of two-thirds of
the members of the House of Representatives and after carrying an investigation by the
Prosecutor General. In case the Prosecutor General is prevented from same, he shall be replaced
by one of his assistants.
As soon as this indictment is issued, the President of the Republic shall be stopped from carrying
out his duties; this is considered as a temporary impediment precluding the President from
performing his competences until a verdict is issued in the case.
The President of the Republic shall be tried before a special court headed by the President of the
Supreme Judicial Council with the membership of the most senior deputy of the President of the
Supreme Constitutional Court, the most senior deputy of the President of the State Council, and
the two most senior Presidents of the Courts of Appeal; prosecution is to be carried out before
such court by the Prosecutor General. In case one of the aforementioned persons is prevented
from serving, he shall be replaced by the person following him in seniority. The court verdicts
shall be final and not subject to appeal.
The Law shall regulate the investigation and trial procedures. In case of conviction, the President
of the Republic shall be relieved of his post without prejudice to any other penalties.
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