The agency quoted Abdel-Maguid Mahmoud as saying Thursday that he will remain in his post in defiance of Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi. His order to dismiss Mahmoud exceeds his mandate.
The law protects the prosecutor general from being fired by the president. A court ruling on Wednesday found 24 loyalists of ousted President Hosni Mubarak innocent on charges of manslaughter and attempted murder.
They were alleged to have played a role in last year's attack on demonstrators, known as the "Camel Battle."
The acquittals sparked stiff protests. Many accused Mahmoud of presenting a weak case.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)