Presidential media advisor Ahmed El-Moslimany, alongside a delegation from the presidency, met on Saturday with representatives from Al-Tayar Al-Sha'aby (Popular Current) including its leader Hamdeen Sabahy. The meeting was shortly followed by a press conference where El-Moslimany said he had heard Al-Tayar Al-Sha'aby's detailed opinion regarding amending the 2012 constitution and the roadmap announced by general commander of the armed forces Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi, reported state-run Al-Ahram. El-Moslimany added that Sabahy delivered a few pieces of advice regarding domestic and external policies. Al-Tayar Al-Sha'aby said in a statement released following the meeting that the focus points of the meeting included achieving social and transitional justice, enabling the youth, taking a strong stance regarding the possible attack on Syria and taking effective steps regarding the Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia. "The current government should take immediate step towards social justice," Sabahy said, warning the cabinet against what he described as "shortcomings" in regards to social justice. "The simple Egyptian citizen needs to feel that the government strives to achieve his needs." Sabahy said Al-Tayar Al-Sha'aby supports the proposal of holding presidential elections before parliamentary elections, adding that such was the people's initial demands when they took to the streets on 30 June, calling for early presidential elections. Al-Tayar Al-Sha'aby leader added that the movement will establish a committee to study possible alternatives to the Nile water issue, especially with the crisis of the Ethiopia dam. He added that the movement agreed with El-Moslimany to form a separate committee to look into any human rights or freedoms violations which might have taken place. "While we take a strong stance against terrorism, we have to seriously abide by respecting freedoms," Sabahy said. El-Moslimany has been holding meetings with different political movements to discuss the roadmap and possible constitutional amendments. He met with former presidential candidate Amr Moussa, Nasserist Party head and Lawyers' syndicate head Sameh Ashour, El-Wafd Party head El-Sayyed El-Badawy, Al-Nour Party leaders, Al-Tagamo' Party leaders and the Tamarod campaign to exchange views over the political and economic situation in Egypt.
