MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somali leaders are debating a new constitution that protects the right to abortion to save the life of the mother and bans the circumcision of girls.

An international law group says the draft guarantees more fundamental rights than the U.S. Constitution, one reason that women are celebrating the document and hardline conservatives are protesting some of its more progressive promises.

Somali leaders — 825 of them — began a nine-day meeting on Wednesday to examine, debate and vote on the constitution. A vote by the group, known as the National Constituent Assembly, is likely to be held late next week.

The constitution makes it clear that Islamic law is the foundation of Somalia's laws.