Top judge to head Egypt constitutional panel

A prominent Egyptian judge was chosen on Monday to head the panel tasked with drafting a new constitution, state news agency MENA reported. Hossam al-Ghariani was chosen by members of the 100-strong panel during its first meeting, MENA said. "Hossam al-Ghariani, president of the Supreme Council of Justice and the High Court, won the presidency of the constitutional commission," the agency said. "I come before you with no allegiance but to this country and this panel... and I call on each of you to discard any allegiances you may have other than to the fatherland," Ghariani was quoted as telling the panel. The panel was elected by parliament last Tuesday, just days before Egypt held its second-round presidential vote on Saturday and Sunday, which pitted Muslim Brotherhood candidate against former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq. The Brotherhood claimed victory for its candidate in the early hours of Monday, but Shafiq's campaign refused to concede victory. Official results are not expected until Thursday. It remains unclear whether the constitutional panel will be able to undertake the huge task of drafting a new constitution, after the ruling military issued an amended constitutional document on Sunday. The document, issued after a court ordered Egypt's parliament dissolved, hands legislative power to the the military, and give the ruling military council veto power over the articles of the new constitution. The Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party has rejected the constitutional declaration and the dissolution of parliament, saying the body retains its legislative powers.