Egyptian General Calls Rival Parties Together for Talks, Opposition Unlikely to Attend

Egypt’s defense minister Tuesday called for a “national dialogue” to be held among the country’s warring political parties.

Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sissi invited representatives of the Egyptian people to meet Wednesday night for talks to end the current crisis, according to Egypt’s state the news agency.

President Mohammed Morsi has agreed to attend.

The announcement came as tens of thousands of Egyptians took to the streets on Tuesday, both protesting and supporting Saturday’s planned referendum on the country’s contentious draft constitution.