ElBaradei proposes Egyptian bill of rights

CAIRO, June 17 (UPI) -- Critics say a proposed Egyptian bill of civil rights released this week by former U.N. nuclear watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei tilts too heavily to religion.

ElBaradei's plan would deny the Egyptian military a political role, Al Masry Al-Youm reported. While it guarantees political rights without discrimination, it would declare Egypt an Islamic state and said its legal system springs from Shariah.

Many activists involved in the mass protests that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak hoped for a secular state and possibly a constitution like Turkey's in which the military is designated as the guardian of secularism.

"ElBaradei is seeking the support of the Muslim Brotherhood with his bill. I find it a threat to the civil state," said President Refaat al-Saeed, who heads the Tagammu Party.

ElBaradei, who headed the International Atomic Energy Agency for a dozen years, is considered likely to run for president of Egypt.