Aswat Masriya (Cairo)

Egypt PM Praises Azhar Call for Dialogue

Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Kandil has called Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb to show support for his invitation to convene rival groups for dialogue.

Representatives of the church and the Salafi (ultraconservative) parties both attended the meeting, among others, to discuss a new initiative to end the ongoing violence that has left over 50 people dead.

Kandil renewed his call to all political forces to denounce violence in all its forms for Egypt's stability and so that the country does not drown into more waves of violence.

Nobel Laureate and member of the National Salvation Front - Egypt's main opposition coalition - said after the meeting with political forces on Thursday that he was optimistic.

He added that political forces will exert all possible efforts to build the trust between the different factions in Egypt.

Chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, Saad al-Katatni, said at the meeting called by Azhar that a new committee that groups all forces will be formed to draft a plan for dialogue.

Katatni insisted in the press conference that all topics can be discussed, adding that the national dialogue must have bases and guarantees.


The political forces, including both the ruling party and opposition, signed a document denouncing violence at the meeting.

