1 Dec 2012

Crowds in Tahrir Square again

5:57 am on 1 December 2012

Protesters opposed to President Mohammed Mursi of Egypt and the sweeping new powers he assumed last week have gathered in Tahrir Square in Cairo, after a new constitution was approved.

A constituent assembly finished voting on the draft in the early hours on Friday. The draft will now be sent to Mr Morsi, who is expected to call a referendum.

The Supreme Constitutional Court is due to rule on Sunday on whether the assembly should be dissolved.

The judiciary is in a stand-off with the president since he granted himself sweeping new powers last week.

An emergency decree issued last Thursday said Mr Morsi's decisions could not be revoked by any authority, including the judiciary, until the new constitution had been ratified and a fresh parliamentary election is held.

It also stated that the courts could not dissolve the constituent assembly.

The president says he will give up his extraordinary powers once the new constitution is approved by a referendum.

Mr Mursi insists the powers he has taken are meant to be temporary and will protect the transition to a constitutional democracy.

However, their extent has raised fears that he might become a new pharaoh.

All articles passed

During a marathon session that began on Thursday and continued through the night, the assembly voted on and passed all 234 articles.

Among the changes to Egypt's system of government, the draft limits the amount of time a president can serve to two four-year terms.

The BBC reports it also introduces some civilian oversight of the military establishment.

The draft keeps in place an article defining "principles of Sharia" (Islamic law) as the main source of legislation.