ALEXANDRIA, Egypt: Mohamed Selim al-Awa, an Islamic thinker and likely presidential candidate, said some political forces held a meeting to prepare for Friday's demonstration. The protest aims to refuse the articles that have been placed by the ruling military council above the constitution, the highest level of the law. It also aims to determine the specific standards of forming the committee that will form the new constitution. The day of the demonstration will be called the 'Friday of identity and stability.' Al-Awa attended a seminar that was held by the Nubian Renaissance Association in Alexandria. He said that the articles that have been placed above the constitution do not exist anywhere in the world. Instead, specific conditions are usually set to reform constitutional articles, he added. Al-Awa also said that the demonstration on Friday will assure the importance of the role of the military council and the armed forces. Al-Awa asked for parliamentary elections to be held in September instead of November. Speeding up parliamentary elections, choosing a committee to draft a new constitution and holding presidential elections will help Egypt's transitional phase, he said. The parliamentary system is the most fitting ruling system for the transitional phase, added al-Awa. Al-Awa's electoral program will be ready on August. He does not oppose having international supervision during elections; however, he said he prefers them being accompanied with local supervision as well. Al- Awa highlighted the importance of creating trust between the people and the police. Arabic here.
