In a meeting with Vice President Omar Suleiman, a number of political parties and groups accepted the idea of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak remaining in power until the end of his term in September.
The MENA news agency said a group representing the youth protesting in Tahrir also endorsed this. It also said that the meeting’s participants agreed that the legitimate demands of the 25 January youth and other political groups should be addressed immediately and with seriousness.
The statement said that the procedures decided upon are temporary until a new president is elected.
The participants agreed, among other things, that Mubarak should not run for a new term and that a peaceful transition of power should be achieved in accordance with constitutional stipulations.
They agreed to amend articles 76 and 77 of the Constitution and to introduce any other amendments required for a peaceful transition of power. But the statement did not discuss article 88 of the Constitution which concerns judicial supervision of elections. Some observers say that article 88–among others–was amended in 2007 to ensure the National Democratic Party remains in power.
According to the agreement, a committee of judicial experts and political figures will recommend the necessary constitutional and legislative amendments by the end of the first week of March.
They also agreed to put an end to Emergency Law as the security situation improves and to form a committee of public and independent figures and representatives from the 25 January youth protestors to follow up on the implementation of the agreement.
