Head of Foreign Relations Committee of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Essam Al-Haddad, met Assistant Secretary of States for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Michael Posner, on Thursday morning to discuss FJP’s vision of the Egyptian political arena during the transitional phase and ways to boost relations between the United States and Egypt.

In an FJP press release, Al-Haddad said there is a consensus on main points in the coming constitution, chief among them is citizenship rights, public freedoms, and civil rights. He added that some amendments need to be made in the fifth chapter in the constitution which is about the powers of the president, the Egyptian regime, and the status of Armed Forces.

Al-Haddad also stressed the role of the NGO’s in supporting public freedoms and human rights, as well as monitoring governmental performance. But he emphasized the need to develop specific laws that define the work of these organizations with clear principles and criteria, and put them under legal control of ad hoc bodies.

On women’s role in society, Al-Haddad noted his party’s full appreciation of women’s role in society, stressing that they should get all their rights and adding that women’s representation in the parliament is still weak.

According to the press release, Posner congratulated FJP on its results in the People’s Assembly. He added that governments alone cannot take on all public services, education, and health so activating the role of NGO’s in these areas is important because this is basically their role.