Egypt, Muslim Brotherhood reach an agreement

Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood have reached a settlement agreement under the auspices of Saudi Arabia, Egypt’s Al-Shorouk newspaper has revealed.

The paper cited sources from the Muslim Brotherhood who reside in Saudi Arabia as saying that there have been efforts for some time to “resolve” the current situation between the Egyptian government and the Brotherhood.

The sources pointed out that in the wake of the group’s deputy leader Ibrahim Munir’s remarks in which he called on “wise men” to develop a reconciliation “formula” between the group and the Egyptian state, there was a proposal to develop “a settlement agreement” instead of a reconciliation agreement between the two sides.

Under the proposed agreement the group will freeze its political action for five years including voting or working against the regime or demanding to be recognised in return, the Egyptian authorities will allow the group’s leaders who left the country to return.

The sources said Saudi Arabia has agreed to sponsor the agreement.

According to the sources, the Egyptian government has already contacted a former member of the presidential team of ousted President Mohamed Morsi who lives in Egypt to discuss the initiative.

The sources pointed out that both parties will benefit from the agreement which will help improve the economic situation in Egypt and will contribute to improving Cairo’s human rights records.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood will be able to carry out radical reforms that are not permitted under the current circumstances.