MPs back down on term extension proposal

The Egyptian lawmaker behind a call to amend the Constitution to extend presidential terms by two years says the change won't apply to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's current four-year term. El-Sisi, who has 10 months left in his first term in office, is barred by the Constitution from serving more than two four-year terms. Any amendment to the relevant clause in the 2014 charter must be approved in a nationwide referendum. A report on the Daily Sabah site notes that the lawmaker Ismail Nasreldeen said the proposed amendment would apply to the next President. El-Sisi is widely expected to run in 2018. His proposal, first made several months ago, suspended and then renewed this month, has been embraced by parliament's largest pro-government bloc. It has been met with vociferous opposition from political commentators.