Former leaders vote in Egypt constitutional referendum
- 11 years ago
Former leader of the Arab League - and one-time presidential candidate Amr Moussa - among those queuing up to vote on a divisive constitution referendum in Cairo on Saturday.
Moussa, who's urged Egyptians to vote no, said he was happy at the large and peaceful turnout.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ARAB LEAGUE, AMR MOUSSA, SAYING:
"We differ but we are not enemies, so why use violence from any side? Egyptians must show their belief in civilised behaviour, being the cradle of the world's civilization."
Former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mahdi Akef, also praised the civilised turnout as he cast his ballot.
Current Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby, voting in the upscale district of Zamalek, said the large turnout showed that democracy was working.
There were long queues of voters throughout the country, including here in the industrial town of Mahalla and in Egypt's second city Alexandria.
Secutity was tight with soldiers joining police at polling stations after deadly protests during the build up to the referendum.
The controversial draft constitution has been promoted by its Islamist backers as the way out of a prolonged political crisis.
Opponents, including a loose coalition of leftists, secularists, Chrisitians and liberals, however, say the document doesn't reflect Egypt's diversity and will cause further division.
Moussa, who's urged Egyptians to vote no, said he was happy at the large and peaceful turnout.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ARAB LEAGUE, AMR MOUSSA, SAYING:
"We differ but we are not enemies, so why use violence from any side? Egyptians must show their belief in civilised behaviour, being the cradle of the world's civilization."
Former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mahdi Akef, also praised the civilised turnout as he cast his ballot.
Current Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby, voting in the upscale district of Zamalek, said the large turnout showed that democracy was working.
There were long queues of voters throughout the country, including here in the industrial town of Mahalla and in Egypt's second city Alexandria.
Secutity was tight with soldiers joining police at polling stations after deadly protests during the build up to the referendum.
The controversial draft constitution has been promoted by its Islamist backers as the way out of a prolonged political crisis.
Opponents, including a loose coalition of leftists, secularists, Chrisitians and liberals, however, say the document doesn't reflect Egypt's diversity and will cause further division.