Egypt President Mohammed Morsi
CAIRO (AP) -- An Islamist-dominated panel has approved a draft constitution for Egypt without the participation of liberal and Christian members.
Members finished voting on all 234 articles individually, passing all largely by consensus, in a marathon 16-hour session that ended just after sunrise Friday.
The panel's rushed passage of the charter before a court ruling Sunday that could dissolve their panel is likely to further inflame a clash between Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and he largely secular opposition. The draft now goes to Morsi, who is expected to call for a referendum within 30 days.
The move advances a charter with an Islamist bent that rights experts say could give Muslim clerics oversight over legislation and bring restrictions on freedom of speech, women's rights and other liberties.
Associated Press