CAIRO - In its meeting on Tuesday, the Advisory Council will discuss many topics regarding the proposed law on presidential elections, rules for selecting a constituent assembly and cancelling military trials for civilians. On Sunday, the 30-member council held a meeting, attended by 24 of its members, to choose the board. The members stressed that the role of the council is to assist the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in directing the country. Mansour Hassan, the chairman of the Advisory Council, said late on Sunday that the role of the council is only consultative. "Its role is to make suggestions to the SCAF that are not abiding," he explained. According to a statement issued by the Council, its role is limited to giving advice; it isn't a constitutional power. The statement added that legislation and censorship are the prerogative of the People's Assembly (PA [Lower House of Parliamentary]). The Council confirmed that the elected members of the PA and Shura Council will establish the constituent assembly for drawing up the new Constitution, according to article 60 of the Constitutional Declaration. Hassan called on the Muslim Brotherhood in a press conference to change their stand and return to the Council. The Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) have withdrawn from the Council as they feel that it manipulates the will of the people. "I blame all political powers for withdrawing from the Council or for refusing to join it," Hassan added. Ahmed Kamal Abul Magd, an Advisory Council member, said that the mission of the Council will end as soon as the two parliamentary houses start work. Abul Magd added that the Brotherhood's withdrawal is wrong, adding that it's a pity that the Council should be created at time when people don't trust each other. He also said that the some SACF generals have made confusing statements and that these generals have been asked to clarify them. Mukhtar el-Mulla, a SCAF member, said that the forthcoming PA will have little importance, as it will have no power to draw up the Constitution. He also said that the PA will not represent all Egyptians. Abul Magd argued the SCAF should study statements carefully before commenting on them.
