Egypt will kick off on Tuesday national dialogue called for by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. All political forces are invited, except for the one that had resorted to violence, namely the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
Member of the National Dialogue's Board of Trustees Mahmoud Alameddine described the dialogue as "important and pivotal" as part of efforts to build and stabilize the Egyptian state.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the discussions would address all political, social, and economic issues, which would create a healthy atmosphere and environment for public work.
Alameddine explained that official guarantees for democratic discussions put the national interests first and work to find common ground between all forces, excluding those "whose hands are stained with blood."
Last April, Sisi called on all political powers to carry out "political dialogue based on national action during the current stage."
Speaking about the exclusion of the Brotherhood, Sisi said no common ground could unite them at the conference.
"I speak about dialogue and they speak of killing," he added Sunday on the anniversary of the ouster of late President Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Brotherhood.
Dialogue coordinator Diaa Rashwan said all decisions would be announced to the public to allow their participation.
Tuesday’s talks are scheduled to discuss the lists and names of the participants, the planned dates, and the time frame.
The Civil Democratic Movement, a grouping of opposition parties and civil movements, had previously announced demands to ensure effective participation in the dialogue.
The Movement wants to ensure that the dialogue is held under the umbrella of the presidency, as it is the only party capable of implementing agreements reached at the talks.
Meanwhile, former Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said the national dialogue revolves around the future of Egypt and the new republic, calling on all media outlets to cover the discussions because closed halls will not achieve the "desired goal."
Moussa demanded that the discussions address all pressing issues, stressing the need for the dialogue to be based on "the rule of law, women's rights, and respect of constitution and law"
He also called setting the population increase crisis among the dialogue priorities.
