Hamdeen Sabbahi, founder of the Popular Current and a former presidential candidate, said he will work with other political powers to apply pressure to form a fresh Constituent Assembly or at least change the assembly's composition by dismissing some Islamist members and appointing legal experts and representatives of underrepresented groups.
Sabbahi called for keeping Article 2 of the 1971 constitution as is, saying the old phrasing ensures the implementation of Islamic Sharia and preservation of the rights of Christians.
He added that all political powers have the right to peaceful protest, saying calls for a protest in support of Sharia and the amendment of Article 2 demonstrate the need for dialogue on controversial articles in the constitution.
Sabbahi said there is greater disagreement over the powers of the president, economic and social rights and freedoms, and the status of women and children in the new constitution, adding that Article 2 of the constitution has the consensus of political powers.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
