CAIRO, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Vice President Mahmoud Mekky stressed Wednesday that the constitutional referendum will be held on Dec. 15 as scheduled, calling on all opposition forces for dialogue over the controversial articles of the draft constitution.
Mekky said Wednesday at a press conference at the presidential palace that the opposition forces can specify all the controversial articles of the draft constitution in a written document, adding the charter is acceptable to be amended after the new parliamentary elections.
He stressed that the statement was his own idea to resolve the ongoing turmoil, rather than a presidential decision.
Meanwhile, Egyptian state TV said that supporters of President Mohamed Morsi marched to the presidential palace and removed tents of anti-Morsi protesters.
Mekky denied claims that his press conference was meant to cover the aggression of Islamists outside the palace against the opponents.
He pointed out that Morsi was committed to holding the referendum on time in light of the constitutional declaration of March 19, 2011, which said the draft constitution is to be put for referendum within 15 days after being written.
Mekky urged for peaceful protests, noting that the security forces are strictly ordered to maintain self-restrain and to avoid use of violence against protesters.
Speaking of the constitution referendum scheduled for Dec. 15, he said that resorting to ballot boxes is the legitimate way to protest the draft constitution.
|
