Egypt's Cabinet rushes to pass draft law

CAIRO, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Officials said Egypt's cabinet is rushing to pass the draft law regulating parliamentary elections before the deadline next week.

Prime Minister Hesham Qandil said the law must be ready 15 days after the approval of the new Constitution, which President Mohamed Morsi signed on Dec. 25, 2012.

But opposition leader Hamdeen Sabbahi said the bill should not be passed before political forces reach a consensus.

Al-Masry al-Youm said the Shura Council's legislative committee approved amendments to the new law Thursday.

Once the Cabinet submits the law to the Shura Council and it is approved, it will then be submitted to the Supreme Constitutional Court for review.