  *  @productversion Flex 4
  */
 public class GraphicElement extends EventDispatcher
-    implements IGraphicElement, IInvalidating, ILayoutElement, ILayoutDirection, IVisualElement, IMXMLObject
+    implements IGraphicElement, IInvalidating, ILayoutElement, IVisualElement, IMXMLObject
 {
     include "../../core/Version.as";
 

import mx.core.AdvancedLayoutFeatures;
import mx.core.DesignLayer;
import mx.core.IInvalidating;
import mx.core.ILayoutDirection;
import mx.core.ILayoutElement;
import mx.core.IMXMLObject;
import mx.core.IUIComponent;

	
	private var _layoutDirection:String = "inherit";
	
    /**
     *  @inheritDoc
     */
    public function get layoutDirection():String
	{
        if (_layoutDirection != "inherit")
            return _layoutDirection;
        
        const parentElt:IVisualElement = parent as IVisualElement;
        return (parentElt) ? parentElt.layoutDirection : "ltr"; 
    }
	
	/**
	 *  @private
	 */
	public function set layoutDirection(value:String):void
	{
