A delegation from the Muslim Brotherhood held a two-hour meeting yesterday with leaders from the Tagammu Party.
Refaat el-Saeed, president of the Tagammu Party, didn’t attend the meeting, saying he would not receive the Brotherhood delegation unless it was headed by the Supreme Guide himself, said Magdi Sharabia, assistant secretary general of the Tagammu party.
Tagammu’s spokesperson said the party will continue fighting in order to abolish the state of emergency and military tribunals, and to put an end to what he described as "unlawful arrests."
Anis el-Bayaa, one of the vice presidents of the party, said the aim of the meeting was to uncover common ground with the Brotherhood. He admitted differences in viewpoints between the two sides, but said that holding a meeting with the Brotherhood should in itself be seen as a step forward.
Mohamed Ali Beshr, a member of the Guidance Bureau, described the meeting as positive. He said there will likely be greater collaboration in the future, pointing out that cooperation between all opposition powers is needed in the upcoming period.
Relations between the two groups have been historically tense, if not hostile. Tagammu’s long time leader el-Saeed had repeatedly lashed out against the Brothers, accusing them of "fascism and aiding terrorism."
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
