MOSCOW. March 21 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed hopes that the outcome of the referendum on amendments to the Egyptian constitution will promote consolidation of Egyptian society and democratic reforms in the country.
"We are hoping that the outcome of the referendum, which has reflected the tendencies dominating Egyptian society, will promote its consolidation and will promote stabilization and democratic development in Egypt," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a report published on the ministry's website on Monday.
The ministry also said the referendum was conducted in accordance with the transition process program announced by the ruling Supreme Council of Egypt's Military Forces. This process should be completed in September 2011 with the transfer of all power to civil administration bodies formed on the basis of the outcome of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.
A total of 41.2% of the 45 million registered voters took part in the referendum, and 77% of them (14.2 million people) voted for the amendments to the constitution, the Russian Foreign Ministry has reported.
The amendments to the Egyptian constitution adopted at the referendum envision a reduction of the presidential term from six to four years (and no more than two presidential terms in a row), new requirements on presidential candidates, including the age limit (no younger than forty) and civil status (both the candidate and his spouse have to be citizens of Egypt).
The amendments also propose changes in the procedures for declaring a state of emergency (in accordance with the amendments, such a decision can only be made by the parliament for a period of no more than six months).