Egypt's Salafist party disavows constitutional declaration

A main Salafist party in Egypt has disavowed a constitutional declaration by interim president Adly Mansour dissolving the Shura Council, the upper house of parliament. Al-Nour party said in a statement obtained by the Anadolu Agency that political and societal consultations should be held before issuing any constitutional declaration. A two-article declaration was issued by the interim president on Friday that dissolved the Islamist-dominated upper house of the parliament, which had the legislative authority since the dissolution of parliament months ago. It also named Mohamed Ahmed Farid as new intelligence chief, replacing Mohammad Raafat Shehata who was appointed earlier by the interim president as his security advisor. Al-Nour party rejected violence against peaceful protesters, arrests of political activists, harassment of Islamists and closure of Islamic channels "as well as issuing constitutional declarations and important decisions without societal or political consultations and taking the side of one party." The Salafist party praised a statement by Al-Azhar imam inviting the Egyptians to avoid infighting. "We will continue our efforts with all political, societal and youth groups and religious institutions to achieve a real and comprehensive reconciliation," the party said. -Egypt's interim president to meet political, religious groups Saturday- Egypt's Interim President Adly Mansour was meeting Saturday with political and religious groups to discuss the country's transitional period. The meeting is attended by representatives of the opposition National Salvation Front, Al-Azhar, the Coptic Church, Tamarod (Rebel) movement and the Salafist Al-Nour party. Leader of Strong Egypt party Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh will be present. Attendees said they will present a number of demands during the meeting. "We will raise six demands during the meeting," Ahmed Emam, a higher board member of the Strong Egypt party, told the Anadolu Agency. The demands include that the interim period does not exceed nine months, holding presidential election in three months, amending the constitution and calling parliamentary polls "We will also stress that the old regime of Hosni Mubarak and his suppressive measures must not return, all detainees be released and broadcast of channels taken off air must resume,” Emam said. Several religious channels have been taken off air shortly after the army's overthrow of elected President Mohammad Morsi on Wednesday. "Our demands also include the protection of all protestors and that the army should not play any political role during the interim period," Emam said. A spokesman of the Tamarod (Rebel) movement, which spearheaded the campaign for Morsi's ouster, said it will press for the release of all detainees since the January revolution that toppled Mubarak. "We will also call for forming a government of figures known for their support to the January revolution and the people’s demands," Hasan Shahin told the AA. He, however, declined to name candidates for the government. Analysts opine that calls for holding presidential election within three months might be accepted by the army, which is facing mounting pressures since Morsi’s overthrow. The army removed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, on Wednesday after massive protests against his regime. -Egypt closes Rafah crossing for 2nd day- Egypt closed Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip for the second consecutive day on Saturday. "The closure of the terminal will continue on Saturday based on instructions from Cairo," a well-placed source at the crossing told the Anadolu Agency. A Palestinian source has earlier confirmed that the terminal will be shut on Saturday. He attributed the closure "to the security situation across Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula". At least 31 people were killed Friday in deadly clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted President Mohammad Morsi.