Egypt's Morsi calls for national dialogue

CAIRO - Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi called for a national dialogue to be held on Monday in order to discuss ways to guarantee integrity of the upcoming parliamentary elections, the state-run TV reported on Sunday evening.

In a televised interview with broadcaster and ex-presidential advisor Amr al-Lethi, who resigned in December 2012 over a controversial constitutional declaration that led to bloody clashes in the country, Morsi underlined his keenness for transparency of the polls slated on April 22.

"I called all the political forces for holding a national dialogue session tomorrow to discuss guarantees of the integrity of the elections," Morsi said.

Morsi noted that the Egyptian General Intelligence Service "is a patriotic body which works with efficiency and loyalty to secure Egypt domestically and abroad."

"I will preserve and support the armed forces to continue its pioneering role to protect the nation," added Morsi.

He reiterated the government's seriousness in restoring the free zone in Port Said, stressing that a draft law was referred to the Shura council, upper house of the parliament, to get the approval, Morsi said.

"Judges have been assigned to investigate clashes in Port Said and Suez and announce the results in public," said the president.