Referendum still set for 15 December, constitutional declaration to be replaced

Egypt Independent

Al-Masry Al-Youm Website

Sun, 09/12/2012 - 00:27

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Egypt's President Mohamed Morsy speaks to the nation at Cairo stadium, 6 October 2012, to mark the anniversary of Egypt's successful crossing of the Suez Canal in its October 1973 war against Israel. Morsy said on Saturday he had fallen short of goals he promised to fulfil in his first 100 days in office, but aimed to assuage critics by highlighting his most prominent achievements.

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The constitutional referendum will be held on its previously specified date of 15 December and the constitutional declaration issued by President Mohamed Morsy on 22 November will be canceled and another one written, Mohamed Selim al-Awa announced in a press conference following the conclusion of a "national dialogue" meeting on Saturday night.

Awa, appearing with the eight other members of the committee who will be drafting the new constitutional declaration after the nearly nine-hour meeting's conclusion, said that the new constitutional declaration will be immune from judicial appeal.

Morsy called the meeting on Saturday after a week of protests against the referendum and constitutional declaration and violent clashes between his supporters and opponents that killed at least seven.

In the original declaration, Morsy also stated that Mubarak regime figures would be retried for the deaths of protesters nearly two years ago in the 25 January uprising.

The president announced he would not be taking part in the meeting in order to ensure the neutrality of its conclusion.

Speaking on the 90 Minutes program on the Satellite Mahwar channel on Saturday evening shortly before the press conference Prime Minister Hesham Qandil had said Morsy had "no objection" to delaying the referendum.