Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has formed a panel to oversee constitutional amendments, the country's vice president said on Tuesday, as anti-government protests entered their third week.
Nearly 300 people have been killed across Egypt in protests demanding Mubarak's resignation that began last month.
"President Mubarak today signed a decree for the formation of the constitutional commission which will oversee constitutional amendments, and required legislative amendments," Omar Suleiman said in a statement broadcast on national television.
"The president also tasked the prime minister with forming a 'follow up committee' to implement the decisions taken by parties to the national dialogue," the newly-appointed vice president said.
On Sunday, Suleiman met with opposition groups, including the banned Muslim Brotherhood, to negotiate democratic reforms, but refused to replace Mubarak during the transition.
In a statement after the talks he said the government was ready to form a commission to propose constitutional amendments by the first week of March.
Mubarak earlier ordered the setting up of an independent panel to investigate clashes in Cairo's central Tahrir Square last week that left 11 people dead.
Egypt's cabinet announced more concessions on Monday, including a 15 percent rise in public sector salaries and pensions, and eased curfew hours across the country.
CAIRO, February 8 (RIA Novosti)
