Egypt's ruling party 'ready for dialogue' with protesters

National Democratic Party also calls for 'restraint' by security forces and protesters during a rally planned for after Friday prayers.

Powered by automated translation

CAIRO // President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party said this afternoon that it is ready to open a dialogue with the youths who have staged three days of anti-government protests.

In a press conference in Cairo, Safwat el Sharif, the secretary general of the National Democratic Party, also called for restraint by the security forces and protesters during a rally planned for after Friday prayers tomorrow.

However, Mr el Sharif, a longtime confidant of President Mubarak, did not offer any concessions to the protesters demanding Mr Mubarak's resignation, nor did he suggest that steps would be taken to address their complaints about poverty and unemployment.

"The minority does not force its will on the majority," he said.