Egypt's army appoints head of committee for constitutional changes

[News_Editor]

Egypt's army appoints head of committee for constitutional changes

2011-02-16 01:23:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO, EGYPT (BNO NEWS) -- The Egyptian army on Tuesday appointed retired judge Tareq al-Bishry as the head of a committee in charge of proposing constitutional changes, the Al-Ahram newspaper reported.

The Egypt's Higher Military Council selected the respected retired judge to lead the committee that is expected to propose constitutional amendments. The committee was formed on Sunday to address demands of the people.

The Supreme Armed Forces Council took control of Egypt after former President Hosni Mubarak stepped down and announced that it will run the country temporarily for six months or until elections are held.

The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's main opposition party, announced that it has faith in the army to take control of the country in the transition period but called for answering all popular demands.

These demands include the release of all detainees who were arrested during the protests as well as those sentenced as political prisoners. In addition, the Brotherhood called for the annulment of the emergency law and the formation of a new cabinet approved by the people.

On Sunday, the military council also dissolved the parliament and suspended the constitution following 18 days of mass protests in Cairo and other parts of the North African country.

The council added that the Egyptian citizens will be able to vote on the constitutional amendments proposed by the committee. All government officials are now reporting to the military high command in the same way it reported to Mubarak before he resigned.

Mbarak resigned from the presidency last Friday after weeks of massive anti-government protests, an announcement hailed by millions around the country and across the world.

The resignation of Mubarak is seen as a historic change in Egypt and the Middle East, and ends his 30-year rule. Clashes between protesters and security forces killed as many as 300 people and injured thousands more.

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