army appoints head of constitutional reform body

The army has appointed retired judge Tariq al-Bishry to head a group to REVISE THE EGYPTIAN CONSTITUTION.

I’ve seen two sources describe al-Bishry as a “respected” figure, though I know nothing about him myself. I’d feel a little better if I heard him praised by actual opposition figures, though. I’m still searching, unsuccessfully, for any reactions to this news by such figures.

All right, here’s what the Telegraph says:

“Tarek al-Bishry, the chairman of the constitutional panel, is a respected judge who criticised former president Hosni Mubarak and is regarded as moderate in his views. But he has been associated with Al-Wasat, an offshoot of the Brotherhood.”

It sounds like some of the secular opposition are furious at the choice, but viewed from the army’s side it looks to me like a conciliatory gesture. The army leadership is hardly made up of fans of the Brotherhood, after all.

However, Wael Abbas has a point when he hints that this choice could be offensive to Coptic Christians.

[ADDENDUM: I’m finding a few other sources now. The army claims to have consulted many people before appointing al-Bishry, but there are worries, both in the Coptic Church and among the secular opposition, that the army has cut a secret deal with the Brotherhood.]