Published: February 5 2011 13:05 | Last updated: February 6 2011 11:04
The Muslim Brothers, Egypt’s largest organised opposition group, were due to meet Omar Suleiman, the country’s vice president, on Sunday, as the army-led authorities tried to encourage an end to protests and a return to work.
The Brotherhood had originally said it would not enter talks until Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s leader for more than 30 years, quit as president. But Rashad Bayoumi, deputy head of the outlawed political party, told the FT on Sunday that the group had decided to meet Mr Suleiman “because we were given to understand that they are prepared to respond to all the demands of the uprising carried out by the youth.”
Also taking part in Sunday’s talks is a group of 11 prominent intellectuals and businessmen. The group, which includes businessman Naguib Sawiris as well as leading political analysts Amr el-Shobaky and Amr Hamzawi, has published a manifesto calling on Mr Mubarak to delegate responsibility for management of the transition to Mr Suleiman.
The talks with opposition groups takes place as Egypt’s businesses began to return to normal after a week of disruption. Banks opened on Sunday for the first time in a week amid concerns about outflows of capital. The Egyptian pound weakened to E£5.915 against the dollar from its close of E£5.855 in trading on Sunday mornin Read More
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