The advisory council set up by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) for "consultative purposes" has suspended its regular sessions until it receives clarification from the SCAF about its role in upcoming presidential elections, the council's head Sameh Ashour said on Tuesday evening.

Ashour took over the council's leadership from Mansour Hassan when the latter stepped down to run for president.  He remains a member of the council.

Once the advisory council receives clarification of its role from the SCAF it will continue with its activities until the conclusion of presidential elections scheduled for 23/24 May, Ashour said during an interview on the private Al-Hayat satellite channel.

Established by the SCAF in early December following public uproar at the deadly crackdown on protesters on Mohamed Mahmoud Street, the advisory council consists of 30 prominent political and intellectual figures appointed for "consultative purposes."