The Muslim Brotherhood is seeking to build a wide-scale alliance with liberal and leftist parties for the parliamentary election slated for September, said Essam al-Erian, vice-president of the Freedom and Justice Party on Friday. At a conference held in the Delta, Erian said his party is not planning to achieve a majority in parliament, and will only contest 30-35 of seats if it runs independently from any alliances. Erian said his party wants to form an alliance that includes all political powers, such as liberals, new and old parties, as well as leftists and Islamists. He said this will help generate criteria for the work of the panel that will draft the new constitution. “We are capable of building an independent, free nation that does not ask for foreign aid,” he said, adding that his party will translate its words into action. Erian said his party appreciates the efforts of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces even though it condemns the human rights violations it may have committed. Erian also said people currently trust Prime Minister Essam Sharaf's government. "Even though there is no parliament to monitor its performance, there are the people and the media,” he said. Translated from the Arabic Edition
