Morsi's reaching out to the opposition came after at least 46 people were killed in three days. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Egypt plunged into a new crisis after the deaths of 46 people in three days of violence across three provinces, prompting Morsi late Sunday to impose a month-long state of emergency in the riot-hit regions.
Facing stiff resistance from an opposition of mainly leftists and liberals, Morsi also called all political forces to a national dialogue.
"The National Salvation Front will meet" in the early afternoon to determine its position, said Hussein Gohar of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, a member of the NSF.
Morsi also invited the al Dustur party founded by Nobel laureate Muhammad Elbaradei, former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, and Hamdeen Sabbahi, a presidential candidate in last year's election - all members of the NSF.
In a statement late Sunday, Sabbahi's movement expressed its "refusal to participate amid the continuing bloodshed and continuing crimes by the regime against demonstrators".
It said it believes that "any serious call for dialogue needs real guarantees for success, the most important being that the president offers political solutions and security."
Morsi's reaching out to the opposition came after at least 46 people were killed in three days in Suez Canal cities, with the deadliest clashes in Port Said where 37 people lost their lives.
The rioting in Port Said began on Saturday after a Cairo court handed down death sentences on 21 supporters of local football club al Masry over football violence last February that killed 74 people.
Despite the state of emergency and the announcement of the curfew, residents of Port Said demonstrated into the night and are preparing for new rallies on Monday, witnesses said.
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Hamdeen was third was not part of the run off and Amr Musa was a distant 5th in presidential elections last year, pro Mubarak candidate was 2nd. They should feel privileged that they are even offered negotiations. Generally it is the winner and the official opposition (Brotherhood and Mubarak camp). Candidates who did not make top 2 should work hard to secure more votes next time, instead of trying to bring down an elected government. (First ever in 5000 year history of Egypt) Hypothetically if the government resigns and another election is held today, it be same result. People like Amr Musa and El Baradi are just spoilers and do not stand a chance. Hamdeen is credible and has history of struggle against Mubarak Dictatorship, but his party is not strong enough to win. If he puts his act together he can steal pro Mubarak/Secular vote for himself and have a better chance next time.