Egyptian political forces to form 'third front'

A number of Egyptian political and civil forces have announced the formation of a “third current" to mediate between the Muslim Brotherhood and the military council to defuse tension between them, and become an alternative political stream in Egypt. Arabstoday received a copy of the "third current's" manifesto, submitted by civil forces and parties during their last meeting. The members of the current agreed on six key principles. First was the establishment of full democracy and to re-elect the parliament according to proper law that will enable MPs to exercise full legislative power. Other points consisted of holding fair elections, establishing democratic institutions, including trade unions and professional associations, student unions, and to encourage civil society institutions to have an active role in political life. The alternative current adhered to civility of that the state in the second principle, rejecting the prospect of a religious or military state. They stated that the reference of the country should be the rule of law and equality among citizens, while respecting the position of religion in the society and referring to Al-Azhar, the Egyptian church and Islamic Sharia law which is the main source of legislation. The third principle is to achieve social justice through the achievement of equal opportunities and the provision of basic services to citizens. It also expounded on the establishment of an economic system depending on free market models and motivating citizens to engage in production, work and investments according to a legal framework that protects society from exploitation, monopoly and corruption. The bloc in the fourth principle said it was opposed to discrimination among citizens, whether based on religion, gender, age, social class, geographic location, or any form of segregation in law or in reality. The fifth principle is to ensure public and personal rights for all citizens, without restriction, including the rights of expression, assembly, political action, movement, creative freedom, information, and others. The sixth principle is to protect the state's resources, wealth and nature from exploitation and threats to sustainable development. The statement emphasised that the signatories did not advertise a new party, but an intellectual and practical framework to unite their forces towards achieving the principles in the declaration. they said the factions would unite to achieve freedom, democracy and social justice. A number of representatives of political parties and civil forces signed the document including a member of the dissolved Parliament Amr Hamzawy, head of Masr el-Horreya (Egypt Freedom) party Refaat al-Saeed, head of al-Tagamoa (Unionist) party political activist George Ishaq, Ahmed Khair, the spokesperson of el-Masryeen el-Ahrar (Free Egyptians) and Najib Abadir and Sayed Abdel-Al, along with a number of other representatives of political parties and forces. The preparatory committee for the meeting had taken place two days before in the office of Egyptian director Khaled Youssef in order to prepare the manifesto. The committee included Khaled Youssef, Hosam Moanes, the representative of Hamdeen Sabbahy's campaign; Farid Zahran, a representative of the Egyptian Democratic party; Mustafa el-Gendy and Gamal Zayed representative of al-Karama (dignity) party; Ahmed Khairy, the representative of el-Masryeen el-Ahrar and Tarek Kamel, the representative of Masr el-Horreya.