Lack of clarity over transfer of power in Egypt

Egypt's interim military rulers, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), could remain in power until the end of 2012 according to a timetable for a transition to elected rule, presented by the army's chief of staff Sami Anan on 2 October.

The SCAF has been in power since the fall of ousted president Hosni Mubarak in February, when it promised that it would hold parliamentary and presidential elections within six months and then hand over power.

The SCAF said that presidential elections would be held after the approval by referendum of a constitution to be written next year.

The drafting committee is to be chosen by as-of-yet unelected members of the upper and lower chambers in parliament; elections for both chambers will run from 28 November until the end of March next year. Candidates are expected to file their requests to stand for parliamentary election by 12 October according to the weekly English edition of Al Ahram.

Political and human rights activists are concerned that the generals, all of whom were appointed by Mubarak, are planning on clinging to power for as long as possible, and that if they do leave it will not be until they have rearranged the political establishment sufficiently enough for them to retain influence.

Six potential presidential candiates are now drawing up proposals to bring the presidential elections forward to next April at the latest.

Activists are also alarmed at the recent reintroduction of the