(AFP Photo)
The Muslim Brotherhood announced that it would reject posts in the cabinet of interim prime minister Hazem El-Beblawi, restating its adamant refusal to recognise or cooperate with the current government, according to multiple media sources on Wednesday.
The official MENA news agency reported that El-Beblawi intends on including Brotherhood leaders in his cabinet, in an attempt to reconcile the opposing political forces and end the current deadlock.
The Brotherhood, however, has repeatedly stated that it rejects calls for negotiation with “a usurped government” that was created by an “illegitimate military coup.” The organisation holds that the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi is an “illegal” action that nullifies all decisions that follow it, according to previous statements made by the Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Badie.
The Brotherhood has vowed to continue street protests and sit-ins until Morsi is reinstated as president, after which it would be willing to negotiate on any other issue, including the announcement of early presidential elections.
Gehad El-Haddad, the official spokesperson for the Brotherhood, said that the announcement of early presidential elections would have to be decided on through democratic, representative routes.
El-Beblawi, a former finance minister, was appointed to the position by interim president Adly Mansour on Tuesday. The prime minister held the first of a series of consultations on Wednesday with the aim of putting together a new cabinet. The first meeting was with liberal leaders Mohamed ElBaradei and Ziad Bahaa-Eldin.
