Egypt's Islamist-led parliament to hold first session

Egypt's Islamist-Led Parliament to hold first session

Egypt's Islamist-led parliament to hold first session

Egypt's parliament sits on Monday for the first time since a historic free election that put Islamists in the driving seat after years of repression under former president Hosni Mubarak.

The Muslim Brotherhood's party was the biggest winner in the first free vote in decades.

It has vowed to guide Egypt in the transition to civilian rule after generals took charge following the fall of Mubarak to a popular uprising last February.

The rise of the Islamists marks a sea change from Mubarak's era when parliament was a compliant body stuffed with members of his National Democratic Party and the Muslim Brotherhood was officially banned though semi-tolerated.

Generals in charge

Generals will remain in charge until after a presidential election in June when they have promised to hand over power, though many Egyptians suspect the army may seek to stay on from behind the scenes even after that.

The historic session

"It will be a historic session in Egypt's transition to democracy and civilian rule,” Mohamed Beltagy, a leading member of the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), said before the first session.

One of the first steps in Monday's session of the lower house will be electing a speaker, set to be the FJP's nominee, Mohamed el-Katatni. Elections to parliament's upper house will be in February.

Inclusive parliament

Although Islamists dominate, it is unclear whether they will form a single bloc in parliament, which will have a key role in drafting the new constitution by picking the 100-strong assembly that will draw up the new document.

The Brotherhood has said it wants to be inclusive and ensure all voices in Egypt are heard.

"We will cooperate with everyone: with the political forces inside and outside parliament, with the interim government and with the military council until we reach safety heralded by presidential election," said Essam el-Erian, deputy FJP head.

Reuters/Ehimen/Cokey