Egypt President Morsi signs disputed constitution into law

The senate convenes to swear in 90 new members appointed by Morsi.

CAIRO: Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has signed into law a new constitution voted in despite weeks of opposition protests, but on Wednesday he was left facing an economic crisis and international disquiet over his rule.

The senate convened on Wednesday to swear in 90 new members appointed by Morsi. It was expected to draft a law for legislative elections for the dissolved lower house that have to be held by the end of February.

The National Salvation Front opposition coalition said it would vie for seats in the parliament, which has powers under the new charter that could hamper Morsi's ability to govern.

"We will work together to enter the election," Front spokesman Khaled Dawoud said.

He also said the coalition would legally contest the referendum, which it claims was riddled by fraud. Its supporters had demonstrated since late November against the document, with some clashes with pro-Morsi supporters turning bloody.

The national electoral commission said late Tuesday that 64 percent of voters in the two-round referendum backed the new constitution. Turnout was 33 percent it said.

Morsi immediately afterwards signed into law the charter, which had been written up by his allies.

Christians and liberals boycotted the process in protest at changes they saw as weakening human rights, especially those of women, and possibly paving the way for the introduction of a form of fundamentalist Islamic law.

The United States, which gives $1.3 billion a year to Egypt's influential military, called on Morsi to work to "bridge divisions" with the largely secular opposition.

"We have consistently supported the principle that democracy requires much more than simple majority rule," acting State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said in a statement.

"We hope all sides will re-commit themselves to condemn and prevent violence," he said.

The political crisis has taken a heavy toll on Egypt's economy.

The state-owned al Ahram newspaper reported there was "Fear in the Egyptian street" after rating agency Standard and Poor's downgraded Egypt's long-term credit rating one notch to 'B-'.

It said reported that the government has restricted travellers from leaving or entering the country with more than 10,000 dollars.

Mona Mansour, chief economist at CI Capital, said a crucial $4.8 billion International Monetary Fund loan that had been scheduled for this or next month might be postponed until the new parliament is established in March.

The social volatility was seen as making difficulties for Morsi to meet financial reforms, such as tax hikes and subsidy cuts, the IMF was thought to have demanded in return for the loan.

"You need to comfort the public that it's not going to affect their pockets," Mansour said.

But she dismissed the possibility of the opposition in parliament scuppering the loan.

Essam al Erian, the deputy head of the Brotherhood's political arm, said the constitution's adoption and upcoming elections would help solve the country's economic decline.

"Every country has a crisis. But crises end, and we are now on the right path," he said.

In its report on Monday, Standard and Poor's said it saw expected political tensions to remain "elevated" amid the deepening intractability of the political rivals.