Egypt: Military council taking steps toward the handover of power

The ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has taken the first practical steps towards the handover of power to a new civilian political arrangement with the promulgation of a constitutional decree, and a law which will govern the formation of political parties.

The constitutional decree is, in effect, the previous constitution but incorporates the amendments that were passed by the 19th March referendum. It continues to stipulate that Islam is the religion of the State and that Islamic law is the principle source of legislation. The amendments include the limit on the number of terms that a president may serve, and also the judicial supervision of elections.

These amendments do not, however, go as far as the youth movements and other groups, who led the protests that brought down president Hosni Mubarak, had hoped. They wanted a radical rewriting of the constitution to recast the relationship between the citizen and the State. A more thorough look at the constitution is, however, envisaged once the parliament is formed.

Announcing the decree on 30th March on behalf of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Maj Gen Mamdouh Shahin said that legislative powers would be transferred to the parliament once it was elected. The presidential elections would take place a month or two after the formation of parliament.

Similarly, the new law on the formation of new political parties makes some key changes to the previous law of 1977 but has not been universally welcomed. It states that new parties wishing to register will be vetted by a committee of judges rather than the ruling party cronies who did so in the past. This should ensure that new parties have a greater likelihood of being approved.

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

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Protesters say "down with state security"

According to various sources, pro-democracy protesters broke into the interior ministry and secret police offices and reportedly obtained 11 classified documents confirming oppression of the people of Egypt under the former government.

On Sunday 6th March, the protesters demonstrating in Cairo to demand reforms of the security services were attacked by men in civilian clothes armed with knives and bombs. It is yet unclear who exactly is responsible for the attacks, but the restructuring of Egypt's security has been one of the key demands made by the pro-democracy protesters.

Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has called on those who had appropriated the documents to submit them to the Council, a call that was seconded by Egypt's new Prime Minister Essam Sharaf on Friday 4th March. Speaking to the crowds in Tahrir Square Sharaf was greeted with people changing, "down with state security".

Egypt's military rulers are worried about the country's internal security and lack the necessary experience to manage civilian matters, which leaves Egypt in a somewhat precarious position.

It is thought that Sharaf's new cabinet, however, will most likely be accepted by the protesters as it contains no remnants of the old regime. Sharaf named former Cairo security chief Maj Gen Mansour El-Essawy as the new interior minister, Nabil Elaraby as the new foreign minister and Mahmoud Al-Guindy as the new justice minister.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, Aljazeera

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

Egypt’s Prime Minister resigns

Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has released a statement saying that Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq has resigned. The statement added that former transport minister, Essam Sharaf, is to replace Shafiq and form a new government.

Shafiq, a close alley of former president Hosni Mubarak, was appointed just days before Mubarak's resignation and is seen by the protesters as a remnant of the old regime. In a statement on Facebook, the Council said: "The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces decided to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq and appointed Essam Sharaf to form the new government."

One of the protesters' demands has been the removal from office of all ministers associated with Mubarak, but it is unclear whether this will appease the activists calling for a "Day of Determination" on Friday. The protesters are demanding a new government and dissolution of state security, as well as a new constitution and a civilian council to aide the army.

Speaking about tomorrow's rally leading member of the Revolutionary Youth Coalition Zyad El-Elaimy said: “Tomorrow's protest was not just for Shafiq,” before adding it was “great” that the Council has “finally listened” to the people.

Sources: BBC News, NewsMax, Aljazeera Washington Post

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

Draft constitutional amendments and a travel ban on Mubarak

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has passed a draft of constitutional amendments to be approved by a national referendum. Under the proposed changes, the president would only be able to sever two four-year terms, not unlimited six year periods as it was under Hosni Mubarak.

The Council has requested that a panel of experts put forth prospective constitutional amendments to aid democratic reforms. The amendments suggested reinstating judicial oversight of the elections.

The changes are to be presented before a national referendum ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections, expected to be held in a matter of months. The amendments represent some of the demands made by the Egyptian opposition, including the limitation of presidential powers. The panel of experts have taken this into account by stipulating that a future president will be obligated to appoint a deputy.

Other changes would make it easier for individuals to run for presidency, and harder for the leader to maintain the state of emergency.

In other related news, Egypt's public prosecutor has issued a travel ban on Mubarak and his family. A spokesman for the prosecutor's office said that the order also stipulated that all money and assets belonging to Mubarak and family are to be frozen.

Sources: BBC News, Bikya Masr , Aljazeera

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.