Egypt passes constitutional amendments

Cairo, June 18 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Egypt's ruling military council has passed a few amendments to the constitution that will outline the future president's powers and responsibilities, state television reported.

The text of the declaration of amendments will be officially announced Monday at a press conference by Gen. Mamduh Shahin, spokesman for the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

On Sunday, Egyptians went to the polls in the second round of presidential elections, the first since Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down after an uprising in February last year.

The election results are expected to be announced June 21.

According to Egypt's Al-Ahram daily, the new amendments will give the president a broad spectrum of powers.

In particular, the new leader will have the right to appoint a prime minister, other ministers and their deputies as well as to represent Egypt on the international arena.

He will also be able to appoint Egyptian ambassadors to other countries.

The president will also have the right to call for elections to the parliament and approve the state budget, according to the daily.

Sunday's presidential runoff saw Mohammed Mursi, head of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, competing against Ahmed Shafiq, the last prime minister in the Mubarak regime.

The run-up to the election was marred in controversy after the Supreme Constitutional Court dissolved parliament last week.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

pm