EGYPT’S NEW VICE PRESIDENT Omar Suleiman has agreed to create a committee to consider constitutional amendments allowing more candidates run for the presidency in September’s elections.
However, Suleiman rejected opposition calls to take over Mubarak’s role until the elections are held, the AFP reports.
Suleiman is holding landmark meetings with representatives from main opposition groups in Egypt, including the influential fundamentalist Islamic movement the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Muslim Brotherhood said it was engaging in a series of dialogues “to ascertain the seriousness of officials towards the demands of the people and their willingness to respond to them”, a spokesperson is quoted by Al Jazeera. The Brotherhood, which is banned in Egypt, had previously said it would not participate in any talks until President Mubarak resigned.
The AP reports that Suleiman also agreed to release people detained throughout the anti-government protests and not to harass anti-government groups.
The government agreed not to hamper the internet or press freedom, as further arrests of journalists are being reported. Al Jazeera’s correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin remains in custody this afternoon after being arrested earlier today.
Protesters continue to demonstrate in a number of Egyptian cities today and crowds have been holding memorials to commemorate those who have died in the past 13 days of confrontation and unrest.
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