Egypt's president, PM mull over cabinet reshuffle

 CAIRO, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi said Wednesday that he is currently discussing a cabinet reshuffle with Prime Minister Hesham Qandil.

Morsi made the remarks when addressing the nation Wednesday evening, one day after the country's newly-written draft constitution was approved in a referendum.

He praised the government of Qandil that assumed office early August, stressing "It has been working under very critical conditions."

Referring to the approved constitution, Morsi said it ensures citizens' rights and freedom, and supports national unity¹ which is the "backbone²" of the state.

The Egyptian president added that due to the approval of the constitution, "We concluded a transitional period that lasted for nearly two years," adding that the coming days will witness the launching of new projects to boost the country's economy.

Meanwhile, he renewed invitation to the opposition³ to participate in the ongoing⁴ national dialogue, noting that his administration will respect the law and the constitution.

Morsi said the approval of the constitution is a "very important" step for the country's history, especially after the upheaval⁵ that toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak last year, and the new constitution decreased the president's power, making him a "servant" for the people.

He also noted⁶ that "the legislative⁷ power had already been transferred to the Shura Council (upper house of the parliament) from the president after the constitution was approved, and will then be transferred to a new people's assembly which will be elected soon."

Head of Egyptian Supreme⁸ Elections Commission, Samir Ahmed Aboul-Maaty, announced Tuesday evening that the first post-Mubarak constitution was approved by 63.8 percent of votes in the referendum.

1 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

2 backbone   

n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气

参考例句：

• The Chinese people have backbone.中国人民有骨气。
• The backbone is an articulate structure.脊椎骨是一种关节相连的结构。

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

5 upheaval   

n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱

参考例句：

• It was faced with the greatest social upheaval since World War Ⅱ.它面临第二次世界大战以来最大的社会动乱。
• The country has been thrown into an upheaval.这个国家已经陷入动乱之中。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

8 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。