Egyptian Panel Amending Islamist-Backed Constitution Convenes
A 50-member panel tasked with amending Egypt’s Islamist-backed 2012 constitution convened for the first time on Sunday to look into key revisions of disputed articles — the third time in less than three years that the charter is being changed.
In its first session, the panel dominated by secularist parties and liberal public figures elected as its president Amr Moussa, a former Arab League chief and presidential candidate, and worked on drafting bylaws.
The panel is convening according to a timeline laid out by the military-backed government five days after a July 3 coup overthrew Islamist President Mohammed Morsi following demonstrations by millions calling for his removal.
It has two months to finalize constitutional amendments that have already been proposed by a 10-member expert panel. The 50-member panel, selected by the military-appointed interim president, is supposed to be a means that the public can influence the charter before it goes to voters for a referendum.
“I feel optimism as we are paving the road for a new era where the constitution will be its base,” Moussa said in his opening remarks after being elected. The session was aired live on state TV.
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