CAIRO: The stakes were raised in the internal crisis in the Al-Wafd Party, as Noaman Gomaa, overthrown chairman of Al-Wafd, was barred by his rivals from the party's headquarters for approximately three days; an act that weakened chances for reconciliation between the party rivals. Gomaa, after being denied access to the party's headquarters by the young supporters of his two political opponents Mahmoud Abaza and Mounir Fakhry Abdel-Nour, also refused to succumb to the High Committee of Journalists' request to resume publication of the Al-Wafd newspaper. The committee convened last Sunday in response to the continued protests of Al-Wafd reporters to resolve the issue - the newspaper's ban was primarily a result of the months-long inner party strife. The body decided that the paper should be republished "immediately and the dismissed editors reinstated. The decision was reportedly supported by Head of Parliament Fathi Sorour. The publishing of the party's newspaper was halted last Friday amid outcries of journalists and requests by different press organizations to release it. Gomaa also dismissed the editor-in-chief and managing editor. "Reformists Abaza and Abdel-Nour, supported by many of the party's youth who sustain calls for internal reform, had taken hold of the party's headquarters more than two weeks ago and declared Gomaa officially removed from office. The senior leaders said that their tolerance for Gomaa's "dictatorial lead had waned. The group decided to choose a new president for office, to be "democratically elected within 60 days of Gomaa's forced removal. Following the upheaval, the prosecutor-general made a decision to support Gomaa, deeming the procedures that removed him to be "unconstitutional. The latter gained access to the headquarters, but only for a brief period; however, during that time, Gomaa had another conflict with the newspaper's editors when they refused to place his name on the paper as both party leader and managing director. In a twist of events, Abaza and his supporters have regained control of the Dokki headquarters during the past few days and barred Gomaa and his "elderly supporters from entry. Television networks and reporters were also prevented from entering the headquarters, currently surrounded by livid advocates of Gomaa and cordoned off by "reformists and monitored by police. The press also reported early Wednesday that Gomaa was "secretly offered a "ceremonial leadership position in the party by an Abaza supporter. Gomaa allegedly refused the position, saying that he was "already the true chairman of the party. Gomaa, having previously filed an administrative court case against Abaza due to be decided next Saturday, resorted to legal action again after the latest barricade on the party quarters. The overthrown leader took his case to another Cairo court, specializing in pressing and urgent cases. Following the incident, Al-Karama Party-to-be announced that they were willing to mediate between the two groups of the Al-Wafd Party adversaries; recommending peaceful resolutions as an alternative to court or government intervention. The Kefaya (Enough) opposition group supported Al-Karama's initiative, reportedly suggesting the formation of a council of "neutral leaders, acknowledged by both sides, to help solve the crisis. Gomaa, appearing on a live satellite TV show with Amr Adib late Tuesday, said that he would not give up his position. The leader said he was "astonished by the move carried out by Abaza and his supporters, seeing them as, "[Young] Al-Wafd members whom I helped grow and rise. "I had trusted everyone around me, he said. Prior to the uprising against him, Gomaa said that Abaza, who led the internal revolution along with Abdel-Nour, never asked him to leave office. "We had a friendly meeting where he voiced the party's needs for more democracy and council within its ranks . I promised I would do all that the internal laws qualify me to in terms of assuring democracy [inside the party], said Gomaa. Nevertheless, Gomaa still believes that Abaza, his main rival in the Al-Wafd crisis, is "a respected and a well-mannered leader who is only surrounded by "thugs and a select few who crave power and authority. Abdel-Nour, who phoned-in during the show, said that Gomaa had been informed that many of his party leaders and members had called for urgent changes inside the party. According to Abdel-Nour, they met with Gomaa several times to discuss their requests, including imperative amendments to the party laws to prevent a monopoly of power or authority inside the ranks. "The flocks surrounding the party are not thugs, said Abdel-Nour. "They are groups of people chanting against Mr. Noaman Gomaa. Abdel-Nour added that the party is open "for everyone and that it was not barring Gomaa or the press. On the other hand, Gomaa insisted that it was closed down by Abaza's "militias for more than two days - a claim supported by Adib who said that his show's own camera crew were prevented from entering the party. Finally, Gomaa said that Abdel-Nour and his group have buried the truth and are denying facts; they took over the party using fraud while he is supported by "most members of the party's high board. "The so-called chairman's elections are fraudulent. The party's chairman is not dead nor did he leave office, said Gomaa, referring to himself in the third person. "The chairman is still here; still alive and worthy of the board's trust.
