A preliminary text of the new Egyptian constitution published in the official al-Ahram newspaper bars any parties “founded on a religious basis” and does away with explicitly Islamic language and statutes in its articles.

A preliminary text of the new Egyptian constitution published in the official al-Ahram newspaper bars any parties “founded on a religious basis” and does away with explicitly Islamic language and statutes in its articles.

 It also preserves Mubarak-era army privileges, such as its right to pick its own defense minister, and to try civilians in military courts.

The constitution, which will be voted on by the public next month, was drafted at the behest of the army-led regime by a constituent assembly made of secularists, which replaced the previous Islamist-dominated drafting body.