Freedom and Justice Party official calls for change in US strategy in Middle East

The deputy head of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) has called on Washington to change the way it deals with the Arab peoples in the Middle East and acknowledge that the years ahead have to be totally different from the previous decades. “Public opinion in the Arab has been totally neglected,” said Dr. Essam El Erian, “and that has to change.”

Dr El Erian asked the US “to respect the will of the Arab peoples to establish a democratic system inspired by Arab and Muslim culture, reiterating religious values and adding a new model to the democratic systems in the world.”

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In a press release issued by the FJP after a meeting with a number of American officials, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jacob Walles, Dr El Erian said that the party accepts that the US has a role to play in the region and across the world. However, he added that he hopes that the United States will acknowledge the democratic choice of the people and deal with new Arab governments with respect and cooperation.

According to the press release, Mr Walles said that the US Administration has reviewed its previous stances and respects the Arab people’s will to establish democratic systems. He also referred to the importance of protecting rights and freedoms, as well as the rights of minorities and women.