Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Sheikh Rashid Ghannouchi has denied reports that he took part in an event during Ramadan hosted by a cousin of Jordan's King Abdullah as part of a plan to reach a settlement for the crisis in Egypt between the Muslim Brotherhood and the military. The head of Tunisia's Ennahda movement told Quds Press that he did not attend any "iftar" (breaking of the fast) hosted by Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammed, who manages and supports international institutions related to Muslims scholars.

The veteran Islamist dismissed "unfounded rumours" about such a meeting and consequent scenarios related to reaching an agreement over the escalating crisis between the Brotherhood and the Egyptian military. Nevertheless, he reiterated his belief that it is important to make every effort to stop bloodshed in Egypt.

"I have previously announced my full readiness to participate in any action that would halt the Egyptian bloodshed, and my support for reconciliation efforts that would preserve Egypt's security, stability and democratic experience," explained Ghannouchi. "I am still ready to make any possible effort for this purpose, since the stability of Egypt and stopping the bloodshed in it is a noble goal that deserves to be pursued."

Following the accession of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz in Saudi Arabia, Ghannouchi gave an exclusive interview to Quds Press in which called for Saudi mediation in Egypt, declaring his readiness to play a role to help it succeed.

The Arab media, meanwhile, has mentioned "consultative contacts" that are reported to have taken place between the head of the Muslim Brotherhood Association in Jordan, Shaikh Abdul Majid Thunaibat, and a delegation from the Egyptian intelligence services that visited Oman secretly last month to seek the shaikh's advice on ways to contain the crisis in Egypt. The Jordanian movement is a splinter group of the parent Muslim Brotherhood organisation based in Egypt.

It is alleged that Thunaibat was advised that the consultations would include Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammed. The latter would also, it was claimed, hold an iftar event to be attended by prominent Islamist figures from Turkey, Qatar and Jordan, in addition to Ghannouchi.

*Middle East Monitor