An Egyptian minister has ruled out negotiations with the Muslim Brotherhood until the Islamists recognise the government's transition plan and renounces violence.
Social solidarity minister Ahmed al-Borei said on Sunday the Brotherhood must also accept Islamist president Mohamed Morsi's overthrow was a "revolution".
A Brotherhood-led coalition had proposed on Saturday its most flexible plan yet for reconciliation talks, but later said the initiative was aimed at other parties and not the military-installed government.
The latest statements indicate that both sides remain deeply divided since Morsi's ouster by the military on July 3 and that hopes for a reconciliation in the near future are slim.
More than 1,000 people, mostly Islamists, have been killed in clashes with police since Morsi's overthrow, and thousands more arrested.
"There must be a recognition that June 30 was a popular revolution, and the (government's) roadmap was agreed on by the Egyptian people to build a modern state," Borei said.
He added that the Brotherhood should accept that its members on trial on murder and "terrorism" charges "are excluded from the idea of reconciliation".
Much of the Brotherhood's leadership, including Morsi himself, are on trial for allegedly inciting violence before and after the Islamist's overthrow.
The military deposed him following massive protests starting on June 30 calling for his resignation.
The Muslim Brotherhood "has to apologise and stop violence on the street," Borei added.
On Saturday an Islamist coalition led by the Brotherhood offered negotiations to end the deadly tensions that have gripped Egypt since Morsi's overthrow.
The coalition "calls on all revolutionary forces and political parties and patriotic figures to enter a deep dialogue on exiting the current crisis," it said in a statement.
Presidential media adviser Ahmed al-Muslimani said he had no response to the Islamist initiative because it was not directed at the authorities.
"They called for a dialogue with the political forces, not the presidency or authorities," he said.
The Islamists say they are open to discussions on their own terms with the military installed government, including guarantees for "inclusiveness" and respect for the suspended constitution.
But their initiative was aimed primarily at other parties who disagree with the Brotherhood but also oppose the military's domination of politics, said a senior Brotherhood member.
Share
