CAIRO: On Thursday, Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) announced a 30 person advisory council to assist the country in moving forward in the current transition period. However, the council, which initially included a number of Islamic groups, has already seen divisions arise, with the Muslim Brotherhood – Egypt's largest political force – criticize the military rulers and refuse to participate in the council. The goal of the SCAF council is to provide suggestions over the country's affairs, state media reported on Thursday. It is tasked with addressing public opinion and work with the new parliament – elections are to be finished in mid-January – in developing a new constitution. Former Arab League chief and Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa was among those selected for the council, as well as leaders of top parties in the country. The council will remain in place until a new president is elected, which the military says could be as early as June of next year. The Muslim Brotherhood, whose political arm the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) recently took some 40 percent of the first round of voting in parliamentary elections, said before the council's announcement that it would not participate. It argued that parliament should be the only body able to write the constitution, as had been previously declared in the country. The group argued that the council is in place to divert the “public's will” through the democratic process. The FJP, and its Brotherhood parent, believe the military is attempting to coerce political groups into developing and inking a constitution to their liking, instead of the people's choice. Many believe the new tension between the Islamic group and the military could lead to a power struggle over the future of Egypt. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/ZxMiV Tags: Brotherhood, Constitution, featured, FJP, SCAF Section: Egypt, Latest News
