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Egypt approves contentious amendments

Egypt's parliament approved a controversial set of amendments to the Constitution that the opposition has denounced as a blow to democracy in this top US ally in the Mideast.

President Hosni Mubarak billed the changes on Monday as part of a reform package aimed at increasing democracy in the country he has ruled unchallenged for a quarter of a century.

But the opposition has said the changes will restrict judicial supervision of elections they call vital to preventing vote fraud. The amendments also write permanently into the Constitution strong security powers for the president they fear will be abused.

The changes come at a time when the US has reduced public pressure on Egypt to bring greater democracy. Two years ago, the Bush administration made reform in Egypt a top priority, but more recently it has spoken out less often and seems more concerned with winning Cairo's support in the Middle East's numerous crises -- including Iraq, Lebanon and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Many critics see the changes as aimed at preserving the 78-year-old Mubarak's control and smoothing the way for his son Gamal to succeed him in a future election. Opponents also believe the amendments aim to ward off any election challenge from the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic fundamentalist group and the biggest opposition bloc in the legislature.

The 454-seat parliament voted on the measures in a late evening session, a day earlier than expected, after hours of discussion.

"With our blood and souls we sacrifice ourselves for you, Mubarak," the ruling party lawmakers chanted before the results of the vote were announced.

A spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood accused the government of passing the measures "in the night, like thieves."

"There is a strange and worrisome insistence on passing the amendments as quickly as possible, which reveals the extent of the conspiracy against the people," Hamdi Hassan told reporters.

The 34 amendments passed with a vote of 315 in favor, parliament Speaker Fathi Sorour said on Egyptian television.

The amendments will now be put before a popular referendum, expected late this month or early next month.

Sorour did not announce the "no" votes in the session.

Hassan said that 113 lawmakers had voted against the amendments.

One amendment bans the formation of any political party based on religion, ensuring that the Brotherhood -- which is banned -- cannot become a party.

Another amendment would require any candidate for president to come from a recognized political party holding at least 3 percent of the seats in parliament.
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