Three Shura Council members who belong to Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) have submitted their resignation in solidarity with the protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
The Shura Council is Egypt's upper house of legislation.
On Wednesday pro-Mubarak protesters attacked anti-regime demonstrators in the square. At least 13 died and hundreds were injured, according to the Ministry of Health. The attackers were allegedly plainclothes security agents and paid thugs.
Mohamed al-Morshedy, the NDP's representative for Maadi, said he wanted to show solidarity with demonstrators in light of worsening economic, social, and political conditions. Morshedy said he was deeply disappointed with the formation of the new parliament, as it lacked opposition figures.
He urged other MPs whose legitimacy has been legally challenged to follow suit. "They have no right to these seats–the demands of Egypt's youth have to be respected," he said.
In Fayoum, Hussein Sufi Abu Taleb, an MP who is also an assistant to the minister of health, said he withdrew his membership because of the NDP's oppressive behavior. He said the NDP used thugs to sabotage the protests, which he described as the first noble nationalist action in Egypt.
In Alexandria, MP Ali Seif voiced his rejection of the aggression towards pro-democracy protesters.
