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FILE - In this May 3, 2011 file photo, head of the Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, left, walks with Qatari Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, center, as he inspects the honor guard during a visit to Cairo, E Khaled El Fiqi, Pool, Associated Press
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FILE - In this July 11, 2011 file photo, Egyptian army soldiers guard the parliament building near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt's ruling generals are seeking to enshrine a future role for themselves with considerable independence from civilian lea Amr Nabil, File, Associated Press
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FILE- In this Friday, July 15, 2011 file photo, Egyptians hang a banner supporting Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of Egypt's ruling military council, at center, during a pro military council rally in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt's ruling generals are File, Associated Press
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FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2011 file photo, an Egyptian Army tank driver preparing to clear opposition barricades looks up, as the army engages in a tense standoff with anti-government protesters, unseen, who were vowing to lie in the path of the tanks, next Ben Curtis, File, Associated Press
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FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2011 file photo, anti-government protestors hold candles as they walk surrounding an Egyptian Army tank at Tahrir square in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt's ruling generals are seeking to enshrine a future role for themselves with considerable Emilio Morenatti, File, Associated Press
By Associated Press

CAIRO — A key member of a panel drafting guidelines for Egypt's next constitution says most of the group's 50 members object to giving the military a future role in politics.

Legal expert Tahany el-Gibali said Wednesday that the principles will have enough guarantees to protect all Egyptians while also safeguarding the civilian character of the state.

Egypt's ruling generals are trying to enshrine a future role for themselves, possibly with the authority to intervene in politics.

The push appears to be driven by the military's fear of losing the near-autonomous power it has enjoyed for nearly 60 years.

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A body of generals has been leading the country since an 18-day wave of protests ousted longtime leader Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11.

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