Egypt's Brotherhood calls for national dialogue

CAIRO — Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is callling on losing presidential candidates and political groups to take part in a dialogue aimed at "salvaging the nation" ahead of a tight presidential runoff between the group's candidate and a former regime official.

Preliminary results indicate Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi will face off against Ahmed Shafiq, the last prime minister of ousted President Hosni Mubarak, in a June 16-17 runoff vote.

Senior Brotherhood official Essam el-Erian said Friday that Morsi is calling on other presidential candidates, national personalities and groups that supported last year's uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak to consult on how to "save the nation and the revolution."

The call is an attempt by the Brotherhood to broaden their support ahead of what is expected to be a difficult runoff against Shafiq.