Egypt’s opposition rejects referendum, urges protests

Cairo – Egypt’s liberal opposition coalition has formally rejected President Mohamed Morsi’s plan to hold a December 15 referendum on a new constitution largely shaped by his Islamist allies.

In a statement late Sunday, a National Salvation Front spokesman said the draft constitution does not properly represent the Egyptian people. He said going ahead with a referendum on the document will lead to more confrontation in the country.

“We do not recognise the draft constitution because it does not represent the Egyptian people,” said Sameh Ashour, who spoke on behalf of the coalition.

The opposition says the body charged with drawing up the constitution was dominated by Mr Morsi’s Islamist allies.

Morsi vowed to hold the referendum on schedule in a decree issued Saturday. He also made a concession to the opposition by canceling parts of a November 22 decree that granted himself sweeping powers.

Morsi made the announcement after a day of talks with other political figures. Most opposition groups boycotted the dialogue.

Many secular Egyptians fear the draft constitution will erode civil liberties because it boosts the role of Islamic law and makes no specific mention of women’s rights. A constituent assembly dominated by Islamists approved the document last month after liberal and Christian members walked out, complaining that their voices were being ignored.

The National Salvation Front called for mass protests on Tuesday against the referendum. Some observers say the draft constitution has a good chance of being approved because Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement has a superior ability to mobilize supporters to vote.

Prominent Egyptian opposition figure Mohammed ElBaradei sent out a tweet earlier Sunday, saying the fight against the constitution is about the