A senior leader of the Muslim Brotherhood will be the next house speaker in Egypt's parliament, the first time in decades an Islamist politician has held the position.

The move comes after the Brotherhood's recent wins in parliamentary elections.

In his role as house speaker, Saad el-Katatni, the secretary-general of the Muslim Brotherhood, will guide Egypt's new parliament as they form a 100-person commission to draw up the country's new constitution.

The appointment of the new house speaker is an indication of just how much influence Islamists will have in that process.