Two American diplomats visited the headquarters of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) Monday. Jacob Wales, an official at the Near East office of the U.S. State Department and Peter Shi, second secretary of the Economic and Political office of the American Embassy in Cairo, were received by FJP deputy director Essam el-Erian. Erian expressed the FJP's awareness of the U.S. role in region and the world. He also hoped that the U.S. begin to listen to Arab countries and respect their desires to establish new Arab democratic regimes, as inspired from Arab culture and religious traditions. “Democracy includes peace, stability and development,” said Erian. He said that Egyptian citizens would live equally, there are no minorities in Egypt, and democracy would give citizens equal rights. Wales said the American administration respects the people's will to establish democratic systems. He spoke about the importance of protecting freedoms, minorities and women's rights. At the end of the meeting, Erian said the american administration must support the Palestinians' aspirations towards independence. This is the second time US officials have met FJP leaders. General-Secretary Saad Katatni previously met the head US national security official responsible for Egypt.