New Clashes in Egypt, Work Begins To Amend Constitution

Local Editor

The head of the emergency department of the Suez Health Directorate, Dr Reda Zaghloul, announced on Monday that 46 people were injured in clashes that broke out between supporters of ousted President Mohamed Mursi and his opponents.

Meanwhile, other medical sources stated that the total number of injured from the clashes has risen to 70, including 35 who were shot by firearms and birdshot.

Clashes broke out between Mursi supporters and unknown men in Suez early on Monday when a pro-Mursi march headed to the Suez governorate headquarters after night prayers. The protesters chanted against Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and called for the return of Mursi to power.

Then the marchers headed to Arbaeen Square where unknown men fired live bullets and birdshot , prompting the marchers to turn to Madina Monawara Street where the clashes continued.

On the political level, a panel of legal experts started work to revise Egypt's constitution.
It is the first step on the road to fresh elections ordered by the army following its removal of Mursi as president.

Setting a highly ambitious timeframe, the military wants new elections in around six months.
It has tasked a panel of ten legal experts to present proposed changes to the constitution within 30 days for review before a broader-based body.
The original constitution was approved by a referendum last year, but critics said the text failed to protect human rights, minorities and social justice.

Ali Awad Saleh, a judge who chaired today's panel, said they would spend the next week receiving ideas from "citizens, political parties, and all sides".

Khaled Dawoud, a spokesman for the National Salvation Front, Egypt's main secular political alliance, called the start of the committee's work "a very positive development".
The Muslim Brotherhood has shown no sign it is ready to engage with the new administration or the army.

It has stuck firmly to its demand for the full restoration of Mursi, who has been held in an undisclosed location since his downfall on 3 July.
More than 100 people have died in violent clashes in Egypt this month.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team