Mohamed ElBaradei, former chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, held a closed meeting yesterday with Mohamed Saad el-Katatny, head of the Muslim Brotherhood parliamentary bloc, to discuss political reform in Egypt. The meeting--which took place at the headquarters of the Brotherhood's bloc--discussed the possibility of joint action to achieve the seven demands included in ElBaradei's pro-reform statement, the most important of which are amending the constitution, abolishing the state of emergency, holding elections characterized by integrity, and allowing independent candidates to run for presidency. "This is not our first meeting," said ElBaradei, who is also a potential candidate in the 2011 presidential election. "We will continue to meet because we have a common objective, which is making the transformation to a democratic regime using peaceful means. In such a regime, the people will be the decision-makers. I hope this happens before the 2011 elections." ElBaradei added that as a legitimate part of Egyptian society, the Brotherhood has the right to form a political party. ElBaradei also denied that his meeting with el-Katatny is intended to put pressure on the regime and expressed his readiness to meet with the Brotherhood's supreme guide.He added that the recent Shura Council elections are a sign of the Egyptian regime's corruption. ElBaradei also said that the National Association for Change (NAC), which he founded upon his return to Egypt, is one that brings together members from across the political spectrum. Meanwhile, el-Katatny said he is happy to have met ElBaradei and described the meeting as very important in the current stage. El-Katatny added that they have both agreed on a framework of action for the coming period in order to implement the seven demands in ElBaradei's pro-reform statement. Brotherhood members will be more actively involved with the NAC, he said, adding that the Brotherhood has not prevented any of its members from signing the pro-reform petition issued by the association. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
