Egyptian groups offer peace initiative
Print Edition
Two of Egypt’s former militant groups are offering an initiative to halt political violence, in which supporters of the ousted Islamist president will stop street protests if the military-backed government stops its crackdown on them, the groups’ leaders said yesterday.
The initiative led by Egypt’s Gamaa Islamiya and Islamic Jihad movements aims to bring dialogue between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood, from which toppled President Mohammed Morsi hails. Morsi was overthrown by the military on July 3 after millions took to the street demanding he step down.
Morsi’s allies had previously insisted he be restored to power as starting point for any talks, but Islamic Jihad leader Mohammed Abu Samra said negotiations had no “red lines.”
The groups do not speak for the Brotherhood, but the initiative shows flexibility from the pro-Morsi alliance of mostly Islamist groups. It comes as the Islamists’ protest campaign wanes and numbers dwindle at their formerly massive rallies. Hundreds of Brotherhood leaders and organizers have been arrested in the crackdown.
Egypt’s worst bout of violence in 2 years of turmoil started when security forces backed by snipers and armored vehicles moved in to break up two pro-Morsi protest camps on August 14. More than 1,000 people were killed in the raids and other violence in the next several days.
“We are paving the way for talks,” Abu Samra said. “We can’t hold talks while we are at the points of swords in the midst of killings and crackdowns.” He said the groups were “extending their hands” to avoid a bloodier confrontation with the military.
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