Egypt removes general prosecutor to appease protesters

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's president removed the general prosecutor from his post on Thursday, appeasing demonstrators who accused him of presenting weak evidence in a case against Mubarak-era officials accused of planning attacks on protesters last year.

General Prosecutor Abdel Maguid Mahmoud, appointed in July 2006, was among officials who drew the wrath of protesters after the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

President Mohamed Mursi's decision came after a court acquitted 24 of Mubarak's loyalists accused of sending men on horseback and camels to attack protesters during last year's uprising.

To avoid a legal hurdle that prevents the sacking of the general prosecutor, Mursi appointed Maguid as an ambassador abroad, effectively removing him from his post.

"President Mohamed Mursi issued a decree appointing Abdel Maguid Mahmoud as ambassador to the Vatican," Ahmed Abdel Atti, Mursi's aide, said in a statement on Thursday.

Another presidential aide told Reuters that an "assistant to the general prosecutor will take up his responsibilities until a new one is appointed".

(Writing by Marwa Awad; editing by Andrew Roche)