"We have met with leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood and discussed their proposal," Al-Said said

CAIRO, August 10 (IslamOnline.net) - Amid flows of foreign initiatives to introduce reform and democracy in the Arab region, the main opposition parties in Egypt, along with outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, try to overcome their differences to reach a unified stance over real political reform in the biggest Arab country.

"The new reform document touches on many issues, foremost of which are defining the President's powers, allowing nominees to directly run for President, limiting Presidency to only two terms, canceling laws controlling party affairs, and ending the state of emergency," chairman of the Arab Nasserite Democratic Party, Diaa Eddin Dawood, told IslamOnline.net Monday, August 9.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is now approaching the sixth and final year of his fourth term in office and reports already speak about his running for a fifth next year. Mubarak assumed power in Egypt in October, 1981, following the assassination of his predecessor, Anwar Sadat.

Dawood called on Egyptian opposition powers to show more flexibility to reach a common ground in a bid to face the mounting western attacks against the Arab and Islamic world.

He further urged for allowing the Muslim Brotherhood to join discussions on the reform document for rendering any future national dialogue a success.

Dawood said the main three opposition parties and the Muslim Brotherhood have agreed on the reform document items which will be signed at the earliest possible time.

Al-Wafd party, for its part, highlighted the necessity to have the Muslim Brotherhood join discussions on the national reform document.

The party's Secretary general, Al-Sayed Badawi stressed his party's refusal to sideline any political power in the country when it comes to issues concerning the supreme national interests.

The outlawed but largely tolerated Muslim Brotherhood had proposed an internal reform proposal, which the government and political parties called a step in the wrong direction.

For Rifaat Al-Saeed, leader of the leftist Al-Tagammou Party, said his party welcomes any coordination with the Muslim Brotherhood group.

"We have met with leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood and discussed their proposal but without discussing issues of dispute (among us)," he said.

Al-Saeed further said the three opposition parties have approved the items of the national reform initiative, noting the document will soon be announced.

The Muslim Brotherhood, for its part, expressed hope over thrashing out an agreement with other political powers in Egypt on issues related to the national higher interests.

"Out of keenness to serve the national interests, we have proposed the reform initiative calling on all political powers to discuss it" said Mohammad Mahdi Akef, the Muslim Brotherhood leader.

Akef said the group's initiative was welcomed by all political powers in Egypt, hinting at desire to enhance cooperation with all political powers in the country.

The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, which advocates establishing an Islamic state using peaceful means, supports 16 deputies in Egypt’s 454-member parliament, making it the main opposition force in Egypt.

The Muslim Brotherhood is represented in other Arab countries, including Jordan and Syria where it was severely repressed.

Al-Wafd daily, mouthpiece of Al-Wafd party and Al-Arabi newspaper have exchanged accusations over the past few days following the participation of two Al-Wafd leaders in talks with US State Secretary Colin Powell over the reform issues in Egypt and the Arab region, but the war of words was brought to an end following mediation between the two sides.

"Al-Wafd party decided to end the war of words with Al-Arabi newspaper for not falling into internal disputes that might hamper national work at this critical stage of the country's history" said Al-Wafd secretary general.