Former Presidential candidate and National Salvation Front (NSF) leader Amr Moussa defended on Thursday his controversial meeting with Deputy supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) Khirat al-Shater.
Moussa reportedly met with Shater on Wednesday night at the house of Ayman Nour, head of Ghad al-Thawra Party. The meeting drew criticism for the NSF leader. The Youm7 newspaper said the meeting was held without consultations with its leaders.
Moussa said in a statement that he briefed Shater on the opposition demands and of their intention to peacefully demonstrate on 30 June. He criticised those who “see in every meeting the goal of political prize or position.”
He apologised, however, for any misunderstanding or media confusion due to “unorganised” news reports about the meeting.
The urgent meeting was arranged to discuss “crucial issues affecting Egypt’s security,” which why he accepted the invitation, Moussa said.
He noted that such meetings are acceptable and have happened before between MB and NSF members.
Moussa, however, said he is aware of the objections that may be raised regarding dealing with the Muslim Brotherhood “After the performance of the regime and the group members.”
Earlier on Thursday, secretary of the Salafi-oriented Nour Party in Giza Ahmed Shokry demanded the Muslim Brotherhood and National Salvation Front to disclose the details concerning a meeting held by leaders of the two blocks.
“We have a set of questions: Was the meeting because the MB is a group that calls to God?, or was it a political meeting? If it was political, then to what extent do they interfere in political decisions?” Shokry asked, speaking to Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Shokry called for transparency about the reasons behind Shater and Moussa’s meeting, saying: “As we are respectable politicians who have popularity, people do listen to our [opinion]. So why aren’t we notified of the meeting and its agenda?”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
