Egypt army to speed up power handover

Cairo, November 22, 2011

Egypt's ruling military council has agreed to form national salvation government and will stage presidential elections before July, bowing to demands by protesters for a swifter transfer of power, politicians who met the army said on Tuesday.

Abou Elela Mady, the head of the Wasat Party, was quoting as telling Al Jazeera that the presidential election would be held before July. Under the previous army timetable, the vote may not have happened until late 2012 or early 2013.

He also said the army had agreed to forming 'within days' a national salvation government, which protesters have demanded to steer the country through the transition to civilian rule.

Another politician at the talks confirmed the details to Reuters.

Tags: speed | power | violence | Handover | protests | Egypt army |