CAIRO-- An Egyptian opposition leader has played down the withdrawal of Al Wafd, Egypt's oldest liberal party, from an opposition coalition.
"Al Wafd's decision to freeze its activities in the coalition will not affect it," said Osama Ghazali Harb, the chairman of the Democratic Front Party.
Al Wafd announced on Saturday quitting the coalition, which also comprises the Democratic Front Party, the Tagmmu Party and the Nasserist, in protest against Harb's criticism of Al Wafd for deciding to participate in Egypt's legislative and presidential elections due to be held later this year and in September 2011.
"No-one can stopa citizen from expressing his view," said Harb. "This is the minimum level of freedom in any democracy."
