...

Mubarak to open discussions with all political groups

Arab World Materials 1 February 2011 01:19 (UTC +04:00)

Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman said Monday the presidency would open negotiations with all political groups.

He read out an address on state television, saying he was speaking on behalf of President Hosny Mubarak, as tens of thousands of protesters remained in the streets in anti-government demonstrations, dpa reported.

Suleiman, the former spy chief, said the government would be willing to hold new elections for some disputed seats in parliament.

Egyptians went to the polls last November, with the ruling national Democratic Party (NDP) sweeping the election, amid accusation of widespread fraud.

A similar statement was made the previous night by Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, but there have yet to be signs of any progress on the dialogue with the opposition.

The Muslim Brotherhood and other groups have banded together in an opposition front, with Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammed ElBaradei acting as their negotiator. They say they want to negotiate a national unity government without the NDP, but are looking to talk with the military.

Latest

Latest