Egypt opposition groups draw up list of demands

Egypt's opposition issued their first clear list of demands on Tuesday, saying the four principles would form the basis for negotiations with the country's existing power structure.

Egypt's opposition issued their first clear list of demands on Tuesday, saying the four principles would form the basis for negotiations with the country's existing power structure.

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The first item on the list said President Hosni Mubarak "and his regime" must step down.

Secondly a transitional leadership should be formed, and a committee should be established to write a new constitution for the country.

Finally, the grouping demands that parliament, dominated by Mubarak's National Democratic Party, be dissolved.

The list was sent to Vice President Omar Suleiman, the former spy chief, who on Monday evening said he would open a dialogue with "all political parties".

Several opposition groups signed the list, saying that if a time frame was set out by Suleiman for implementing the demands, negotiations could begin.

But officials with the banned Muslim Brotherhood, the largest opposition movement in the country, told DPA they would not negotiate with Suleiman - although also would not stand in the way of talks.

However, liberal groups and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammed ElBaradei said they supported the list and talking to the vice president, provided that Mubarak stepped down.