Arab League head opposes referendum

CAIRO, March 17 (UPI) -- Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said he will vote against the constitutional amendments referendum scheduled for Saturday in Egypt.

Speaking to reporters prior to a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon Wednesday, Moussa said he considers a temporary constitutional declaration preferable.

This will allow the election of a new president and the formation of a committee to write a new constitution, al-Masry al-Youm quoted him as saying.

Parliamentary elections could then be held, Moussa said.

The Muslim Brotherhood is considering formation of a committee to run in the next parliamentary elections as part of a unified list with other parties, the newspaper said.

The group also plans to establish a committee to spearhead an initiative on transition of power that will include the abolition of emergency law, the release of political prisoners, freedom to form political parties and limiting the powers of a future president, the report said.

"Our initiative is in tribute to the revolution's martyrs, be they Muslims or Christians," Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie told the paper.