NSF groups ‘unified and strong’

Essam Shiha, a member of Egypt’s National Salvation Front [NSF], confirmed the opposition group would run in the country’s upcoming parliament elections, despite objections to the constitution and referendum instigated by President Mohammed Morsi. Shiha said the NSF, which consists of 22 different opposition parties, would welcome any new groups in an attempt to form a “unified and strong” coalition in the face of perceived Islamist domination. The opposition had not declined President Morsi’s invitation for national dialogue, Shiha claimed, despite only being invited through public speeches or television. He highlighted an absence of “vision” or a “well-defined political agenda” on the part of the Egyptian leader. “The National Salvation Front would never refuse a serious and objective dialogue that aims at achieving national consensus,” the NSF member said. “As long as we were invited in a formal manner within a particular agenda.” The Morsi administration had tried to divide the NSF, Shiha claimed, allegedly charging them with adopting so-called “foreign agendas” and treason. “Just like the former regime did at the time of the January 25 Revolution,” he said. Shiha meanwhile announced the NSF would seek alliance with any party looking to stand up to the dominance of political Islam in Egypt. “The Muslim Brotherhood are trying to control ministries to influence citizens before parliamentary elections,” Shiha claimed, referring to President Morsi’s recent cabinet reshuffle. He accused the presidency of using the transitional government as a scapegoat for all current crises. The NSF member stressed the importance of placing “political and economic interests” above “all other interests” in Egypt. “Otherwise poorer citizens will start to miss the former regime of President Hosni Mubarak, despite its corruption,” Shiha said.