Egypt's parties divided over constitutional amendments

Three weeks before Egypt goes to the polls to elect a new parliament, the country's military rulers are facing heavy criticism over proposed constitutional amendments seen by voters as a bid to tighten their grip on power.
Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmi unveiled the proposals, saying they serve as a "road map" for drafting a new constitution enshrined in equality and religious tolerance in Egypt.
However, opposition parties, including Islamist groups, boycotted a meeting to debate the proposals, which they say are designed to strengthen the army's say in Egyptian politics by giving it the power to veto legislation on the military.
Islamists say the proposals are also designed to curb their influence in the new parliament, where they are expected to have a strong showing.
"Drafting the constitution is a key mission for parliament that should not be usurped by anybody," said Adel Afifi, the head of the Islamist al-Asala Party.
"The proposed document is a bad omen for Egypt. The (ruling) military council should disown it," he added.
The military council has been in control of Egypt since a popular uprising unseated president Hosny Mubarak in February.
Several opposition groups, including the influential Muslim Brotherhood, have called for mass protests across Egypt on November 18 to denounce the proposals. Online activists have threatened a "second revolution."
The suggested rules have also been criticised for calling the army the "guardian of democracy" in Egypt, fuelling suspicions over the military's agenda.
The opposition is vociferously critical of the military junta for failing to set a clear timetable about handing power to an elected civilian authority.
In October, Hussein Tantawi, the head of the ruling military council, denied allegations that the army was interested in keeping power.
"Given the chance, the military council will step down tomorrow," he said.
"This document is also ill-timed as the country is preparing for elections," said Amr Abu Khalil, a senior official in the Islamist Al Nahda Party.
The parliamentary elections, set to begin on November 28, will be the country's first since Mubarak's toppling.
After the elections, a panel will be formed to draft a new constitution ahead of the presidential election.
The proposals have, meanwhile, won backing from some liberals. They say the document guarantees a civil state in Egypt.
"Our party believes in the necessity of setting binding constitutional guidelines," said Hani Seri Eddin of the Liberal Egyptians Party co-founded by the Coptic tycoon Naguib Sawiris.
"This is a good step for Egypt's democratic and political transformation," added Seri Eddin.
The military rulers have made no comment on the current furore.
Meanwhile, al-Selmi, the deputy prime minister, has promised that the document will only be endorsed after it wins approval from the majority of Egypt's political parties.
"This document aims to assure all Egyptians about their rights and duties, which will be heeded in drafting the constitution regardless of the political group that will have the majority in parliament," al-Selmi told the independent newspaper Al Masry Al Youm.
"The army does not seek to gain certain privileges or to usurp power."
Al Selmi challenged opponents of the proposals to attend another meeting he is to hold next week for fresh debate on the document.
"Anyone opposing this document should show up at the meeting to defend his view."
The military has been playing a major role in Egypt since 1952 when a group of officers toppled the country's monarchy.