Main Egypt Opposition Tones Down Criticism of Charter

Egypt's National Salvation Front, the main coalition that backed the overthrow of president Mohammed Morsi, on Wednesday toned down its criticism of an interim charter to say it merely disagreed with some provisions.

On Tuesday night, the coalition had sent a statement saying: "The National Salvation Front announces its rejection of the constitutional decree."

But on Wednesday it issued a new statement saying it had not been consulted in the drafting of the charter by interim president Adly Mansour, "and therefore the decree was issued including articles we disagree with".

In its latest statement, the coalition, which was led by Mohamed ElBaradei until his appointment as vice president in the new government, said it would "propose our own amendments (of the charter) to the president".

The grassroots Tamarod campaign which organised the mass protests that led to Morsi's overthrow, has also complained it had not been consulted on the transition plan.

Tamarod spokesman Mahmoud Badr said the movement would itself make proposals for changes to the blueprint, which as well as outlining the new president's powers lays out a timetable for the transition period that is to last around six months until presidential elections are held.

Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which has refused to accept the military coup that deposed the Islamist president, has rejected the plan outright.

"A constitutional decree by a man appointed by putschists... brings the country back to square one," senior Brotherhood official Essam al-Erian said in a Facebook posting.