Egyptian opposition leader and Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei called on President Mohammed Morsi to delay Saturday's vote on a highly contentious draft constitution. "Fear God, Dr. Morsi and postpone the referendum," ElBaradei pleaded in a televised message Thursday. The reform leader cited the "specter of civil war" in his plea for a delay, but urged his supporters to vote "no" if the vote were not cancelled. The referendum comes after weeks of escalating tension set off in late November when Morsi issued a decree granting him sweeping powers he used to push through a constitution draft favored by his Islamist base. Liberals, secular groups and others, who view both the draft and process as flawed, vowed to boycott the Dec. 15 referendum, but eventually called off the boycott, deciding to back a "no" vote. Seven have been killed in clashes between the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood and the opposition since the recent bout of unrest began.
