1.
GV EXT. People's Council building
0.05

2.
SV INT. Hafez Badawy enters room & takes seat, others follow
0.11

3.
SV Members seated
0.16

4.
SV ZOOM BACK TO GV Badawy addressing members (6 shots)
0.56

5.
SV Members voting with show of hands
1.00

6.
GV INT. Meeting in progress
1.04



Initials SGM/2325 SGM/2345



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Measures for strengthening national security and the proposed merger between Egypt and Libya were under consideration at an emergency meeting of the Egyptian People's Assembly on Tuesday (August 15).

The assembly began a debate on the National Unity Bill, drafted by the Legislative Committee. This stipulates that no groups or parties should be formed outside the country's only political organisation, the Arab Socialist Union.

Egypt's status quo is further safeguarded under the draft by proposed imprisonment for spreading rumours detrimental to the state or leading to a rift between Moslems and Christians.

Earlier, the Assembly had unanimously ratified a draft bill allowing Libyans the right to own land and work in Egypt -- as proposed during the recent joint declaration by President Anwar Sadat and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.