One-time presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei has condemned the new constitutional declaration, to be issued by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) within days, because it will hand the military "supreme authority" over the country.

The declaration will allow the SCAF to bypass parliament and define the president's powers just days before he is elected, said ElBaradei via Twitter Saturday.

It will also give the SCAF the right to declare war and authorise arms deals, which, ElBaradei said, "gives the army supreme authority."

"Without a constitution, things will continue to deteriorate," he added.

ElBaradei reiterated his demand that the elected president have the power to form a consensus committee to draft a constitution.

A new constitutional declaration is expected within days after the constituent assembly failed to draft a constitution before presidential elections scheduled for 23/24 May.