Dr. Yasser Ali, spokesman for the Presidency, affirmed that the goal of President Morsi’s constitutional declaration was to reach a point where national dialogue replaced intransigence of the minorities. He added that extending the period in which the Constituent Assembly (CA) should complete drafting Egypt’s new constitution gives it a greater chance to achieve an acceptably broad consensus among all political groups.

Ali pointed that since he took power, President Morsi focused on ending the transitional period, and always consulted all political, revolutionary and youth groups so as to reach decisions acceptable by everyone.

The spokesman denied the presidency worked privately or in isolation while preparing the decrees issued Thursday. He assured the President did discuss all aspects with all political forces and listened to what many political groups and ex-presidential candidates had to say, in order to reach a solution that restored to the revolution its rights, its thrust and momentum.