Egypt’s Islamist-dominated parliament opened a new front in the country’s leadership showdowns today by meeting in defiance of orders that disbanded the chamber and brought President Mohammed Morsi in conflict with both the powerful military and the highest court.

Egypt’s Islamist-dominated parliament has convened in defiance of a ruling by the country’s highest court dissolving the legislature.

Egypt's highest court has asserted its ruling that led to the disbanding of parliament is final and binding, state television said, setting up a showdown with the new president.