Egypt's new constitution to curb Islamists

Egypt's amended constitution, set to be presented to the president on Tuesday, would scale back the influence of Islamic law, The Wall Street Journal reported. The major changes in the document appear intended to prevent another Islamist surge in politics, the paper said. It said the new constitution bans political parties based on religious identity—a clear blow to Islamists. It is seen largely as a retread of the 1971 version of the constitution. The paper said Interim President Adly Mansour is expected to approve the charter and put it to a national referendum this month or in January. Source: MENA