World Bulletin / News Desk

President Mohamed Mursi has won initial backing from Egyptians for a new constitution that he hopes will steer the country out of crisis, but the opposition called for nationwide protests ahead of next weekend's second leg.

A majority of 56.5 percent voted for the draft charter put to half of Egypt's 51 million voters on Saturday, according to the Freedom and Justice Party, the political branch of President Mohamed Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood.

But the opposition National Salvation Front coalition said it would not recognize "any unofficial result," and would wait for the formal tally after next Saturday's second round of voting.

It called on Egyptians to "take to the streets on Tuesday to defend their freedoms, prevent fraud and reject the draft constitution."

It reiterated its allegation that balloting had been "marred by irregularities and violations".

If the constitution is approved, Mursi hopes it will end a tumultuous transition almost two years after a popular uprising overthrew president Hosni Mubarak and ushered in interim military rule before Mursi's election in June.