Egypt Crisis...

The Egyptian government has offered a series of concessions at the first talks with opposition groups, including the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, in an attempt to end the mass pro-democracy protests across the country.

But opposition leaders said that Egypt’s vice-president and longtime intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, did not go far enough in his proposals for greater political freedom and pledge of free elections, a private news channel reported.

Meanwhile, Cairo’s dismal appearance was intensified by its gray skyline today as it rained slightly. Graffiti denouncing President Mubarak covers the walls and garbage lies on the streets since life had essentially stopped for the past week and a half during the  protests, violence, and looting.

On the political front, more talks were held between Vice President Omar Suleiman and six opposition groups, representing both official parties such as the Wafd and Tagammu, as well as the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s largest opposition group, and representatives of the “January 25th youth.”  The talks represent a milestone in Egyptian politics, given the fact that there is actual dialogue taking place with the involvement of the Muslim Brotherhood.  Initially, the Brotherhood refused to hold talks with the recently appointed Vice President.  However, the tone changed almost overnight, which was also the case with the Wafd and Tagammu parties, who were initially hesitant.

One of the Brotherhood’s prominent figures, Essam El-Erian, stated that the government did not “respond to most of our demands.  They only responded to some of our demands, but in a superficial way.”  This is despite the fact that several prominent National Democratic Party officials, including President Mubarak’s son, Gamal, have resigned from the ruling party and indicated their distance from the political arena.

President Mubarak has not indicated he will be leaving anytime soon and VP Suleiman has stated that he will not take the presidency.  In an interview with ABC, Suleiman said that he cannot take the presidency as stipulated by the current constitution since he is “not from any party.”

Miqdad Sibtain

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