Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawy has claimed a dialogue initiative proposed by the Muslim Brotherhood has not been received by the government, reiterating his commitment to seeing through Egypt's roadmap following the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsy.
This comes after the Muslim Brotherhood and pro-Morsy National Alliance in Support of Legitimacy proposed a "serious dialogue" to end the current crisis.
Beblawy told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the Cabinet "has not been contacted regarding any initiative," and that he only learnt of it through the media.
Beblawy said he does not even know if the Brotherhood proposed this initiative at all.
He stressed, however, that the government will continue with the roadmap, while it rebuilds state institutions, imposes greater security and improves economic conditions.
On the other hand, deputy Prime Minister Ziad Bahaa Eddin said on Sunday that the initiative could be a start, but noted that the initiative "needs assurances with regard to the alliance's recognition of the roadmap."
He stressed the need for national reconciliation, protection of democratic process and the fight against terrorism in the Sinai.
Fellow deputy Prime Minister and Higher Education Minister Hossam Eissa told the Associated Press that Morsy supporters should accept the military-backed plan first as a starting point for talks.
National Alliance sources said the statement issued on Saturday welcoming dialogue with the army caused many disputes within the coalition, because some leaders were surprised by the statement .
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
