Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi said on Friday that his controversial decree that greatly extended his power would end “as soon as the people vote on a Constitution,” adding that the decree was “for an exceptional stage.” Morsi’s comments came as the Islamist-led assembly approved a new Constitution. But opposition protesters said that the assembly “does not represent all sections of society,” since many liberals and other moderate voices had withdrawn from the assembly. Protesters vowed to push for a “no” vote in a referendum. The new Constitution draft limits presidents to two terms and allows for some civilian oversight of the military—but it maintains “the principles of sharia” as the main source of legislation, and critics are worried about the rights of women and freedom of speech.
