Congo Republic drafts new Constitution

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo Republic (Reuters) -- The government of Congo Republic has approved a draft constitution that opposition parties say would concentrate too much power in the hands of the president.

Government spokesman Francois Ibovi announced the government's backing for the draft on Thursday. The draft must be adopted by the transitional parliament before going to a referendum next year.

The previous constitution, dating from the introduction of multi-party politics in 1992, was suspended in October 1997 when President Denis Sassou Nguesso came to power in the central African country after a brief civil war.

A three-year transitional regime formally came to an end on October 24 but is to be extended, government officials said.

Under the new constitution, a president would be elected for seven years, renewable once. Ministers would be appointed by and answerable to the president, who alone would hold executive power.

Under the 1992 constitution, the president was elected for five years. He appointed a prime minister from the majority party in parliament and the prime minister formed a government.

Opposition parties and independents have accused Sassou of wanting to bring in "a republican monarchy" and are calling for the reinstatement of the 1992 constitution.

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