Egypt’s military agrees to swift transition of rule

Deal calls for election, new constitution

Protesters in Tahrir Square booed a speech yesterday by the military’s top officer, who said the army did not seek power. (mahmud hams/AFP/Getty Images)

By Alan Cowell and David D. Kirkpatrick

New York Times / November 23, 2011

Text size – +

E-mail

Egypt’s ruling military council agreed yesterday to speed up the transition to civilian rule in a deal made with Islamist groups but which seemed unlikely to satisfy the demands of liberal parties and the more than 100,000 protesters who gathered in the center of the capital to demand an immediate transfer of power. The agreement came after the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces met with representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups in a session that was boycotted by most other political parties.

For more from BostonGlobe.com, sign up or log in below