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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Egyptian opposition to boycott elections | Egyptian opposition to boycott elections |
| (30 days later) | |
| Egypt's main opposition coalition has said it will boycott upcoming parliamentary elections, a decision likely to deepen the nation's political crisis and worsen an already troubled economy. | Egypt's main opposition coalition has said it will boycott upcoming parliamentary elections, a decision likely to deepen the nation's political crisis and worsen an already troubled economy. |
| The announcement by the liberal, secular National Salvation Front (NSF) was made in a televised news conference on Tuesday, just hours ahead of the start of a "national dialogue" called for by President Mohammed Morsi to produce recommendations to ensure the "transparency" and "integrity" of the vote. | The announcement by the liberal, secular National Salvation Front (NSF) was made in a televised news conference on Tuesday, just hours ahead of the start of a "national dialogue" called for by President Mohammed Morsi to produce recommendations to ensure the "transparency" and "integrity" of the vote. |
| Leading NSF member Sameh Ashour, who also heads Egypt's lawyers' union, announced the decision and said the NSF was also boycotting Tuesday's dialogue. | Leading NSF member Sameh Ashour, who also heads Egypt's lawyers' union, announced the decision and said the NSF was also boycotting Tuesday's dialogue. |
| "We tell Morsi, dialogue with yourself. Dialogue with your party," he said. "The Egyptian people will not accept a dialogue that is imposed." | "We tell Morsi, dialogue with yourself. Dialogue with your party," he said. "The Egyptian people will not accept a dialogue that is imposed." |
| "God willing, the elections will reflect the spirit of Egyptians," Morsi said in opening remarks at the start of the dialogue, held at the presidential palace in a Cairo suburb. Most of those in attendance were Islamist politicians, with representatives of pro-democracy youth groups and rights activists staying away. | "God willing, the elections will reflect the spirit of Egyptians," Morsi said in opening remarks at the start of the dialogue, held at the presidential palace in a Cairo suburb. Most of those in attendance were Islamist politicians, with representatives of pro-democracy youth groups and rights activists staying away. |
| One of the NSF's most prominent leaders, Nobel peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, had already called for a boycott on Saturday, but Tuesday's decision reflected the view of all of the group's political parties. | One of the NSF's most prominent leaders, Nobel peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, had already called for a boycott on Saturday, but Tuesday's decision reflected the view of all of the group's political parties. |
| The US reacted swiftly to the boycott decision, calling on the front to reverse its position. | The US reacted swiftly to the boycott decision, calling on the front to reverse its position. |
| State department spokesman Edgar Vasquez said the US was encouraging all Egyptian parties and potential candidates to compete, saying the election offered Egyptians an opportunity to have their voices heard. | State department spokesman Edgar Vasquez said the US was encouraging all Egyptian parties and potential candidates to compete, saying the election offered Egyptians an opportunity to have their voices heard. |
| It was "critical" for Egyptian parties to take part so that Egyptians could select representatives from a broad range of political positions, said Vasquez. | It was "critical" for Egyptian parties to take part so that Egyptians could select representatives from a broad range of political positions, said Vasquez. |
| Called by Morsi last weekend, the elections will start in April and be staggered over a two-month period. | Called by Morsi last weekend, the elections will start in April and be staggered over a two-month period. |
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