Morsi Calls for Referendum As Thousands Rally in Support
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has called for a referendum on the new constitution as thousands rallied in support of the president, while opposing demonstrations continued at Tahrir Square and elsewhere, Mohannad Sabry reports for Al-Monitor.
CAIRO — President Mohammed Morsi called on Egyptians to head to polling stations on Saturday, Dec. 15, to cast their votes on the country’s new constitution, as hundreds of thousands of supporters continued to rally in support of the president’s decisions.
“After following the efforts of the Constituent Assembly, and after lovingly receiving this draft constitution from you today, I call the Egyptian people to vote on this constitution on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012,” said Morsi who was handed the final draft of the constitution by Judge Hossam El-Gheriany, head of the Constituent Assembly that passed the draft on Thursday Nov. 29.
“As for the national figures that preferred not to join the last conventions, I tell them that your efforts are appreciated and we will never forget it, despite the recent conflict of views,” said Morsi, referring to several withdrawing members of the constituent assembly.
“I hereby renew my call to open a serious national dialogue around the issues of the nation in order to end the transitional period as soon as possible,” said Morsi.
