A number of Egyptian political groups have rejected a proposal by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to form an official advisory board made up of presidential hopefuls as a way of ending Egypt's current political impasse, according to a report by Ahram Online. Cairo and other governorates have been roiling with mass protests demanding the ruling military council hand over power to a civilian government over the past week. The protests have seen clashes with security forces that have left over 40 dead and hundreds injured. On Saturday, SCAF head Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, along with his deputy, Sami Anan, held a meeting with presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei to discuss the demands voiced by protesters in Tahrir Square, who are calling for a national salvation government empowered with full and autonomous authority, in preparation for fully handing over power to an elected civilian government. The SCAF has tasked former Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri to form a new interim government, but the declaration was rejected by protesters and political groups, who argue that Ganzouri served under the regime of toppled President Hosni Mubarak. Late Saturday, ElBaradei held another meeting at his home with representatives of some political groups, including the National Association for Change (NAC), Egyptian Social Democratic Party, 25 January Revolution Youth Coalition, April 6 Youth Movement and prominent businessman Naguib Sawiris, founder of the Free Egyptians Party. Ahram Online reported that the political forces convening with ElBaradei rejected a proposal by the SCAF to form an advisory board comprising ElBaradei and other presidential front-runners and public figures. In order for the SCAF to have approved of such a body, ElBaradei would have had to give his blessing to the Ganzouri-led interim cabinet. But ElBaradei's guests believe the proposed presidential council is not a solution for the crisis, but rather a cosmetic measure designed to appease protesters in Tahrir. Following the meeting, ElBaradei said he is ready to head a national salvation government provided that it enjoys full authority to run the country through the remainder of the transitional period. SCAF member Mamdouh Shaheen, speaking to Al-Hayat satellite channel on Saturday, declined to say whether the SCAF refused to appoint ElBaradei as head of a national salvation government due to the authority he requested. Shaheen denied suggestions that the new Ganzouri-led government will be removed following the parliament elections. Egypt's governing system is presidential and not parliamentary, he stressed, noting that the new parliament will not have the power to remove nor withdraw confidence from the interim government. State-run news agency MENA said Tantawi will meet with ElBaradei, along with other presidential candidates and public figures, again on Sunday.
