Egypt's military plans exit from power

CAIRO -- Egypt's military rulers yesterday floated a timetable for their exit from power under which presidential elections could be held by late next year.

The proposal is not binding but is the closest thing to a schedule for a return to civilian rule after growing criticism of the generals' management of Egypt's turbulent post-uprising transition period.

The chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Sami Anan, discussed the plan with political parties that had threatened to boycott parliamentary elections scheduled to start in late November if their demands for an amended election law went unheeded.

There have been growing calls from activists and political parties for the generals to set a clear timetable for an end to military rule, which began with Hosni Mubarak's February ouster in an 18-day popular uprising that shook the Arab world.

Over the nearly eight months since then, activists have accused the military of following many of the same hated practices of the Mubarak regime, including the physical abuse of detainees and making key decisions on its own.

The military council also failed to meet its initial pledge to return the country to civilian rule within six months and also to shed the much-hated Mubarak-era emergency laws blamed for rampant human rights abuses under the old regime.

According to the state news agency MENA, Anan said the military council is not "seeking to prolong the transitional period. It is committed to a clear and precise timetable to transfer power after the election of a president."

Initial plans to hold presidential elections as early as next month have been scrapped.

According to Saturday's plan, the elected parliament would meet in late March or early April to choose a committee to draft a constitution. The document would be put to a public referendum within two weeks of its completion, which must happen by October.

Once approved, the door for presidential nominations would open, and a vote would be held within two months.The plan also would allow international election monitors.

The proposals were announced a day after thousands of protesters gathered across the nation, pressing for a timetable for the end of the transitional period.