A 50-member panel tasked with amending Egypt's Islamist-backed 2012 constitution has convened for the first time to look into key changes of disputed articles.
The panel dominated by secularist parties and liberal public figures met today to elect its president and draft bylaws. It has two months to finalise constitutional amendments proposed by a 10-member expert panel.
After a referendum on the constitution, the country is scheduled to head to presidential and parliamentary elections early next year as part of a fast-track plan aimed at returning to democratic rule.
The 2012 constitution was adopted under ousted President Mohammed Morsi. It was suspended after Morsi was toppled in a July 3 coup that followed millions taking to the street demanding his resignation.
Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood group isn't represented on the panel.
