Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood on Tuesday denied news reports that group leader Mohamed Badie had proposed an initiative to open talks with all Egyptian political orientations in an effort to reach consensus on a single presidential candidate and on the reformulation of the constituent assembly tasked with drafting a new constitution.
On Tuesday, Brotherhood Secretary-General Mahmoud Hussein pointed out that local media had published a statement by MP Mohamed El-Beltagy, a leading member of the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), about the initiative, but had mistakenly attributed the statement to Badie.
Hussein went on to say that El-Beltagy had proposed the initiative on his own volition, stressing that his opinions and suggestions did not represent official Brotherhood policy. Hussein nevertheless reiterated the importance of reaching consensus among Egypt's various political forces, both in terms of the upcoming presidential race and the constituent assembly.
The Brotherhood secretary-general added that the constituent assembly was a matter "related to parliament," noting that the group was not a party in the issue.
Nevertheless, the Brotherhood's FJP is currently holding talks with the SCAF, along with various political parties and movements, about the assembly's possible reformulation.
Hussein also denied rumours that both the Brotherhood and FJP were studying the possibility of withdrawing their two candidates – Khairat El-Shater and Mohamed Mursi – from next month's presidential contest.
Egypt's first post-Mubarak presidential elections will take place on 23 and 24 May, with a runoff round – if necessary – slated for 16 and 17 June. The new president will be officially named on 21 June.
