Not present at the dialogue, and apologizing for their absence, were representatives of the Church and a number of political parties, including Misr al-Qawīyah (the Strong Egypt) Party and al-Tayār al-Misrī (the Egyptian Current) Party. Noticeably absent as well were the following public figures: counselors Zarkīyā ‘Abd al-‘Azīz and Jamāl ‘Aīd.

Points on the agenda were: discussion of all the proposals of the political forces involved, finding ways to pursue both local and international civil society organizations, the election process, strengthening the climate of trust that should accompany the elections.

In another development, the National Salvation Front (NSF) announced it is boycotting the upcoming parliamentary elections. It stated it is unable to participate in the elections without fair law and a neutral government (Amānī Mājid and Jamāl Abū al-Dahab, al-Ahrām, Feb. 27, p. 1). Read original text in Arabic.