Egyptian referendum 'approves' new constitution

Egyptians appear to have approved a controversial new constitution in a referendum, unofficial and preliminary results announced so far suggest.

Results reported by Egyptian state media suggest that some 63% backed the charter over two rounds of voting.

In the first round, on 15 December, turnout was reported to be just above 30% with unofficial counts suggesting some 56% of those who cast ballots voted in favour of the draft.

Violations in the second round on Saturday ranged from polling stations opening late to Islamists seeking to influence voters, the opposition said.

The Islamist Muslim Brotherhood movement said early on Sunday that, with most votes counted, more than 70% were in favour.

The opposition National Salvation Front also said the "yes" vote appeared to have won.

But critics say the document, which has triggered mass protests, betrays the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak.

President Mohammed Morsi's mainly Islamist supporters however insist it will secure democracy and encourage stability.

Official results are not expected until Monday, after appeals are heard.

If the constitution passes, parliamentary elections must take place within three months.

Turnout was put at about 30%. The opposition said voting in both rounds of voting had been marred by abuses.

As voting took place on Saturday, the country's Vice-President Mahmoud Mekki announced his resignation.

Mekki, a former judge who was appointed vice-president in August, said the "nature of politics" did not suit his professional background.

Over the past month, seven of President Mohammed Morsi's 17 top advisers have resigned.

Mekki said he had tried to resign on 7 November, but his decision had been delayed by the Israeli conflict in Gaza and President Morsi's controversial decree on 22 November granting himself sweeping new powers.

Mekki's resignation statement indicated he had no prior knowledge of the decree, which stripped the judiciary of powers to question the president's decisions.

After an outcry, the president revoked much of the 22 November decree, but he refused to back down on the draft constitution.

The text was rushed through by a constituent assembly dominated by Islamists and boycotted by liberal and left-wing members, and facing a threat of dissolution by the country's top court.