According to Egypt’s state news agency, Vice President Omar Suleiman has proposed a review body to amend the constitution. He has also proposed to set up a committee of judicial and political figures to study proposed constitutional amendments that will allow more candidates to run for president and impose term limits on the presidency.
Government spokesman Magdi Radi said the parties had agreed to form a committee of judges and politicians to study and propose constitutional amendments and the required legislative amendments by the first week of March.
Meanwhile former UN nuclear watchdog head and leading dissident Mohamed ElBaradei was not invited for talks. In all, six groups were represented at the talks hosted by Vice-President Omar Suleiman, including a coalition of youth organisations, banned Muslim Brotherhood and a group of wise men. The offers of the government are aimed at averting the escalation of protests, in which government has made several concessions, except resignation of President Mubarak. However, the opposition appears to be divided over how to bring about an end to President Hosni Mubarak’s nearly 30-year rule. Despite the talks, a large number of protestors are still at Tahrir square, pressing for their demand main demand of ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
Meanwhile, President Mubarak has refused to resign immediately, saying it would plunge the country into chaos but promised not to contest the next Presidenmtial polls. Many banks opened for the first time yesterday, drawing long queues as people waited to withdraw money.
