CAIRO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's main opposition bloc, the National Salvation Front (NSF), announced Monday its refusal to President Mohamed Morsi's call for dialogue.
"We refuse the president's call for dialogue as it ignored the front's main demands that were announced before," said the NSF at a press conference.
"We don't refuse the dialogue with the presidency in general, but we refuse the dialogues that won't benefit the Egyptian people, " said leading NSF member Hamdeen Sabahy.
Sabahy stressed that Morsi should announce his respect for the Egyptians' demonstrations and announce his political responsibility for the blood that was shed during his rule.
"The prosecutor-general should be sacked and a national salvation government should be formed," Sabahy said, adding that forming a legal committee to amend the constitution was a must.
Sabahy criticized the president's decision to impose a curfew on the Canal riot-stricken governorates of Port Said, Suez and Ismailia, noting the decision meant "isolating them from the whole country."
Meanwhile, NSF leader Mohamed ElBaradei said the curfew was considered a security solution, while the ongoing crisis in Egypt requires a political one.
On Sunday, Morsi issued a statement inviting 11 parties and some independent figures for dialogue on Monday, including al- Dostour Party headed by Elbaradei, the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, al-Wafd Party, Strong Egypt Party and others.
Morsi also decided Sunday to impose a 30-day curfew and a state of emergency on Port Said, Suez and Ismailia, after bloody clashes between anti-government protesters and security men in the three governorates killed dozens and injured hundreds over the past few days.
Related:
Morsi orders curfew, state of emergency in riot-hit governorates
CAIRO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi imposed Sunday a curfew and a state of emergency in the turmoil- stricken Port Said governorate, as well as Suez and Ismailia, due to the ongoing bloody clashes there.
"I asserted earlier that if I had to, I would take any extraordinary measures to stop bloodshed, preserve security and protect the citizens," Morsi said in a televised speech Sunday evening, adding that the curfew in the three governorates would last 30 days, starting from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. of the following day. Full story
News Analysis: National dialogue could ease Egypt's political tension
CAIRO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- A real comprehensive national dialogue with clear agenda, practical mechanisms and guarantees for implementation of its agreement could ease the tense political scene in Egypt, which was engulfed by violent clashes over the past few days.Full Story
7 killed, over 630 injured in Egypt's Port Said clashes
CAIRO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least seven were killed and 630 others injured on Sunday in Egypt's seaside city of Port Said during a funeral for the victims of Saturday's clashes between security forces and angry protesters, official Nile TV and medical sources said.Full Story
270 injured during funeral in Egypt's Port Said
CAIRO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Some 270 people were injured Sunday in Egypt's seaside city of Port Said during a mass funeral for the victims of Saturday's clashes between security forces and protesters, a health ministry spokesman said.Full Story
