Egypt starts national dialogue over transitional roadmap

The Egyptian presidency has begun its first session of the country's national dialogue over amending the transitional roadmap set by the army-backed interim government, state-run al-Ahram reported on Thursday. Egyptians are scheduled to vote on the new draft constitution on Jan. 14 and 15 to replace the constitution written in 2012 under the administration of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. The referendum has been regarded as a key step for a democratic transition and is to be followed by parliamentary and presidential elections by fall next year, according to the government's timetable. The draft constitution allows the authorities to change the date of parliamentary elections, which were expected to be held before presidential elections. The president has not decided whether to start with presidential or parliamentary elections after meeting with national groups and figures. Thursday's session was attended by representatives of different revolutionary youth movements, political parties and constituencies.