(AFP File Photo)
By Nourhan Dakroury
President Mohamed Morsi met on Saturday with Islamist political figures from 12 Islamist parties, including the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Al-Nour and Al-Watan parties, to discuss the current situation in Egypt.
“The president stressed the importance of peaceful protesting and warned against violence,” said Yasser Abdel Moneim, media coordinator of Salafi Al-Watan Party.
According to a statement by a presidential spokesperson, those attending the meeting echoed the president’s call for peaceful protesting. The statement also noted Morsi’s assurance that there are authorities in the country that are in charge of protecting institutions and public property.
“There are currently 40 parties and movements participating at the pro-Morsi demonstration, and they will not resort to violence unless they have to defend themselves,” said Mohamed Soudan, FJP spokesperson in Alexandria.
Soudan added that pro-Morsi protesters at Rabaa Al-Adaweya mosque in Nasr City will not leave the mosque to confront anti-Morsi protesters, unless they are attacked or institutions and public property are attacked.
The presidential statement concluded that the political figures present at the meeting affirmed Morsi’s legitimacy as president as well as “the need to resort to ballot boxes in the next parliamentary elections.”
