The ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) on its Facebook page on Sunday night denied reports that it is delaying presidential elections until June 2012. On Sunday, sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm the immanent constitutional declaration is being delayed because of arguments among political groups, and that the military council wants to wait until a consensus is reached that will please society and political trends. “What has been reported in media on postponing presidential elections to 2012 is not true,” the SCAF wrote on its page. “The armed forces want to end its mission as soon as possible and hand over powers to a civilian regime elected by the people.” The military initially promised to hand over powers to a new president within six months of their 11 February takeover, holding both parliamentary and presidential elections first. Last week, it held a referendum on a package of amendments to constitutional articles. Voters favored the amendments, and the SCAF said they would be included in an interim constitution. Political groups disagree on major issues, such as whether a new Constitution should be issued ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections and which elections should be held first. The disparities reflect different ideas about the post-interim period, as well as political groups' readiness to participate in the light of what some perceive as the growing power of Islamic groups.
