Cairo averts crisis but prepares for clash

The military-led interim government in Egypt said Wednesday it would amend articles in the country's draft constitution to allay opposition concerns. The government, through Egyptian State Information Service, said it had responded to criticism and decided to amend two articles in the draft constitution. The Muslim Brotherhood said the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces had until Wednesday to amend the document. The Brotherhood led a political alliance expressing its rejection of the measures on the ground it gave the country's military leadership more power than the Parliament or the president. SCAF took control over Egypt after Hosni Mubarak was forced to resign after nearly 30 years in power. Egypt is gearing up for its first round of parliamentary elections since the country's revolution. A committee met Wednesday to discuss security during the election. SCAF Field Marshall Mohamed Hussein Tantawi said, according to ESIS, that the elections were a fundamental step toward democratic governance. SCAF is under fire for the slow pace of reform in post-revolution Egypt. Tantawi said the Interior Ministry would be tasked with making sure the upcoming elections are free and transparent. Interior officials said they were prepared to take on any attempts to derail the elections. A meeting is scheduled Monday to explain final measures of the first round of elections.