26 May 2012

Unity call by Muslim party to 'save' revolution in Egypt

3:34 pm on 26 May 2012

The Muslim Brotherhood has called for talks to "save" the Egyptian uprising ahead of a presidential election run-off.

The group says its candidate, Mohammed Mursi, won most votes in this week's first round, with about 25% of the vote.

Partial figures suggest he will face Ahmed Shafiq, the former President Hosni Mubarak's Prime Minister when he was deposed last year, in a second round next month.

A spokesperson for the Muslim Brotherhood said Egypt would be "in danger" if Mr Shafiq won, and the group would reach out to other candidates to defeat him.

Mr Mursi has already invited other presidential candidates and party leaders to hold talks on Saturday, the BBC reports.

Early counts in the country's first ever free presidential elections put Mr Shafiq at roughly 24%.

The nationalist Hamdin Sabbahi, a fiery opponent of the Mubarak regime who became the choice of many of those supporting the revolution, appears to be in third place.

More than 11,000 out of 13,000 polling stations have declared results. However, partial results are subject to recounts and final results are due on 29 May.

A candidate had required 50% for an outright victory. The run-off is due on 16 and 17 June.