Presidential hopeful Abdel Moneim Aboul-Fotouh has called on Egypt's post-revolutionary political forces to take part in Friday's scheduled protest in Cairo's Tahrir Square to register their opposition to a controversial raft of government-proposed “supra-constitutional principles.” Some of the principles, unveiled by Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister Ali El-Selmy earlier this month, drew heated criticism from parties and activists across the political spectrum. They accuse the ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) of granting the army immunity by prohibiting parliament from monitoring the military establishment's budget and financial dealings. Although El-Selmy later said that two of the more controversial articles would be amended, many political observers continue to express doubts over the SCAF's intentions. “People should participate in Friday's demonstrations to express their rejection of the supra-constitutional principles,” Aboul-Fotouh, seen as a moderate Islamist presidential contender, said in a statement. “The will of the people must be respected.” He went on to stress that “a national consensus” was required “to fulfil the demands of the revolution and allow the country to resolve ongoing security and economic problems.” The proposed supra-constitutional principles are ostensibly intended to act as guidelines for the drafters of a new Egyptian constitution following upcoming parliamentary elections. Hazem Salah Abou-Ismail, another Islamist presidential hopeful and staunch critic of the SCAF, has also announced his intention to participate in Friday's planned demonstrations. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/26459.aspx
