Former International Cooperation Minister Amr Darrag, an executive bureau member of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) , has denied rejecting initiatives for political reconciliation. He added that his party does not oppose participation in reconciliation initiatives on the condition that they be founded on correct bases.
Darrag told Egypt Independent that some political figures had proposed initiatives that could have been the basis for dialogue, but Brotherhood opponents and the government had rejected the initiatives and continued their policies to "break the Egyptians’ will."
The government is smearing the Brotherhood’s image, as well as arresting them and describing them as terrorists, Darrag said. He added that while the government had rejected the initiatives, "it claims that we reject dialogue, which is untrue."
The National Alliance Supporting Legitimacy (NASL), according to Darrag, had earlier accepted dialogue in response to serious reconciliation initiatives, only to have the government reject them.
Darrag said he is keen on starting talks and dialogue that would lead to ending the political crisis. However, he added that he was waiting for the government who he believes has the power to take the initiative in creating an atmosphere for real dialogue that would yield a real solution for the political crisis.
Darrag did not expect dialogue to begin soon due to an absence of government action to build the confidence of the Freedom and Justice Party as well as NASL. He also called on the state to show its commitment to dialogue and reconciliation by taking serious steps to stop arrests and the leveling of accusations.
On Friday, the Muslim Brotherhood will stage protests called “People leads its revolution” across Egypt in an attempt to win a round after it had lost in sit-ins staged at squares and saw decreasing number of protesters on streets. which urged the government not to look for any political resolution, especially the Brotherhood has become the weakest side and that any initiatives would rescue the brotherhood.
Observers expect more victims from potential clashes between security and protesters on Friday, similar to the Friday after the sit-ins' dispersal when protesters were besieged inside the Fatah Mosque in Ramsis. Obsevers believe any conflicts would further complicate future reconciliation talks.
