Egypt's ruling military has issued a declaration granting itself sweeping powers, as the country awaits results of Sunday's presidential elections.

The document by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (Scaf) says new general elections cannot be held until a permanent constitution is drawn up.

Opposition groups condemned the move as amounting to a military coup.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood says unofficial results show its candidate, Mohammed Mursi, has won the election.

The Scaf issued its declaration late on Sunday - just hours after the polls closed.

It confirmed on Monday that it plans to hand over power to the winner of the poll at the end of June.

However, the constitutional declaration issued by the Scaf effectively gives it legislative powers, control over the budget and over who writes the permanent constitution following mass street protests that toppled Mr Mubarak, reports say. It also strips the president of any authority over the army.




This a shame for the secular dictatorship minded army of egypt.

The new constitution the military is drawing up would be similar to turkeys.

Can a military draw the constitution in a democratic country ? Its pathetic. This is the real of face of America, England and Israel. They have kept quit now because the army is pro israel and pro America.

Yes in Pakistan the army has been bulldozing the constitution many a times but has never made it. The constitution of Pakistan was made by all the political parties of the time and still it is accepted by all the parties.

Dear I think we are talking about the constitution so your above argument is irrelevant. The problem that you are talking about is political. The constitution of Pakistan does not provide any protection to army in any legal matter. Army is bound by the constitution. It is only the weaknesses of the political parties which provides an opportunity to army to bulldoze and override the laws.