The Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) is preparing to hold what it is calling the “first national dialogue for Egypt” next Tuesday at the FJP's headquarters in Cairo, said Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie. Badie said that all political factions would participate. “We will all sit together for dialogue and consultation in a democratic and peaceful atmosphere to plan for Egypt's future both internally and abroad, and to confirm Egypt's leadership in the Arab world,” Badie said. Badie made the statements after casting his ballot on Tuesday in the Shura Council elections at the Haditha Girls School in Beni Suef. Badie said that the Brotherhood is not shying away from its national responsibilities during this critical period in Egypt's history and that its decision not to field a candidate for the presidency was out of concern for the unity and solidarity of all political factions in Egypt. He added that the Brotherhood was surprised by “unfair accusations” from a number of internal and external voices that the FJP had been unable to shoulder its new responsibilities. These accusations motivated the FJP to form a stable coalition government charged with planning the long-term future of Egypt, Badie said. Commenting on calls for civil disobedience over past days, Badie said that the lack of participation in strikes and other forms of disobedience “underlines the Egyptian people's confidence in their state institutions, especially the military and the judiciary, in light of the freedom and democracy we are experiencing.” Badie called on the Egyptian people to allow democratically empowered institutions to continue working, especially the Shura Council, which he said, “complements the People's Assembly and reviews its work.” He also said the Shura Council's official duties must be determined by the new constitution.
