Discussing the Sudanese constitution today

Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir delivered an address today to the exceptional session of the Sudanese National Council (parliament), held to discuss the draft Sudanese constitution developed by a national committee, comprising number of politicians and academics.

Bashir called on the council to launch a session to discuss the draft, saying it is proper to examine the draft of the constitution through the exceptional session due to Sudan's special circumstances and in order to establish the procedures needed for this summer's constitutional referendum.

The head of the council, Dr. Hassan al-Tourabi, said the council will examine the draft constitution starting on Monday, and will continue until the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the opposition announced its refusal of the draft constitution saying the committee which produced the draft is illegal.

The Nations' Party also refused this draft, where Dr. Mohamoud Moussa the political bureau's members of the party said the draft was set by individuals in authority and their members only, without the effective participation of the political forces that obtained 80% of votes in 1986.