Muslim Brotherhood throws support behind ElBaradei
By JPOST.COM STAFF, ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAST UPDATED: 01/30/2011 18:10
Opposition figure calls on Mubarak to "leave today," calling it "non-negotiable for every Egyptian"; banned Islamic opposition party, other groups give ElBaradei mandate to negotiate unity government.
Egyptian supporters surround ElBaradei as he arriv Photo: Associated Press
The Muslim
Brotherhood on Sunday threw its support behind Egyptian opposition
figure Mohamed ElBaradei to hold proposed negotiations with the
government in order to form a unity government.
Speaking to
Al-Jazeera, Muslim Brotherhood official Essam el-Eryan said that
"political groups support ElBaradei to negotiation with the regime."
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ElBaradei, in an interview aired on CNN Sunday, said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak must leave the country immediately.
"It is loud and clear from everybody in Egypt that Mubarak has to leave
today, and it is non-negotiable for every Egyptian." he said. He added
that it should "be followed by a smooth transition [to] a national unity
government to be followed by all the measures set in place for a free
and fair election."
Addressing Mubarak's Friday night move to sack his
entire cabinet, ElBaradei said, "I think this is a hopeless, desperate
attempt by Mubarak to stay in power." He added that it "is loud and
clear from everybody in Egypt that Mubarak has to leave today, and it is
non-negotiable for every Egyptian."
The statements came as protests continued in central Cairo, where tens
of thousands of protesters were reportedly gathered despite an announced
curfew and strong military presence. Fighter jets swooped low over
Cairo in what appeared to be an attempt by the military to show its
control of a city beset by looting, armed robbery and anti-government
protests.
Minutes before the start of a 4 p.m. curfew, at least two jets appeared
and made multiple passes over downtown, including a central square where
thousands of protesters were calling for the departure of Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak.