Talks Start with Old Egyptian Regime

Egypt’s Vice President Omar Suleiman met major opposition groups for the first time today and agreed to allow freedom of the press, to release those detained since anti-government protests began nearly two weeks ago and to lift the country’s hated emergency laws when security allows.

He endorsed a plan with the opposition to set up a committee of judicial and political figures to study proposed constitutional reforms that would allow more candidates to run for president and impose limits on the presidency.

The regime also pledged not to harass those joining anti-government protests, which have drawn hundreds of thousands in support.

The government agreed not to hamper freedom of press and not to interfere with text messaging and the internet.

The new concessions followed a series of others that would have been unimaginable just a month ago.

But all of them appear geared to placate the protesters and relieve international pressure without giving in to the one demand that unites all the opposition – President Mubarak’s immediate departure.

No mention was made of any plan for President Mubarak to step down before a new election later this year, although the Muslim Brotherhood, outlawed for over 50 years but taking a prominent part in the negotiations, has insisted that he must step down immediately.

Since protests began, Mr Mubarak has pledged publicly for the first time that he will not seek re-election.

The regime has also promised that his son Gamal, who had widely been expected to succeed him, would also not stand.

Mr Mubarak appointed a vice president for the first time since he took office three decades ago.

He has sacked his cabinet, named a new one and promised reforms.

And on Saturday the top leaders of the ruling party were purged, including Gamal Mubarak.

But the president still clings onto power by his fingernails.

There was no sign today that the concessions will end the protests.

At the epicentre of the anti-government movement, Tahrir Square in central Cairo, some activists slept under army tanks ringing the plaza for fear they would try to evict them or further confine the area for the demonstrations.

Source: morningstaronline.co.uk