Egypt gets interim constitution

CAIRO, March 31 (UPI) -- Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has announced an interim constitution to run the country through its transition.

The council is in charge of the country's administration and it confirmed the military would hold presidential powers until a new president is elected, Bikya Masr reported.

The interim constitution calls on the caretaker government of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and the council to run the nation until parliamentary elections in September, followed by presidential elections in October or November.

The interim constitution supersedes the 1971 constitution suspended following the expulsion of President Hosni Mubarak Feb. 11.

Council spokesman Mamdouh Shanin said the declaration affirms Egypt is a democratic country and it ensures Egyptian people freedom of religion and speech.

Shanin also said the emergency law in place since the assassination of former president Anwar Sadat 30 years ago would be lifted ahead of September's elections.