Coptic Church quits talks

Egypt’s Coptic Church is withdrawing from a committee to draft the nation’s new constitution, according to the country’s official news agency.

The church reportedly called its participation “futile” under the current make-up of the panel, dominated by Islamists.

Out of 100 committee members, only two were chosen from the church among six Christians. Christians – mostly Copts – make up about 10 per cent of Egypt’s population.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s party and a smaller ultra-conservative faction, which control the parliament, staked out a clear majority on the panel.