Liberal and Islamist political leaders met privately on Saturday to try to ease tensions that have sparked protests in which some 60 Egyptians have died since late January, politicians said.
The protests erupted after the second anniversary of the uprising which overthrew Hosni Mubarak and reflected competing visions for Egypt's future. Political turbulence has slowed negotiations for a $4.8 billion dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund.
Politicians said Mohamed ElBaradei, a prominent liberal activist and leader of the National Salvation Front (NSF), met Saad el-Katatni, head of the Muslim Brotherhood's ruling Freedom and Justice Party (FJP). Another leader of the NSF, Sayed el-Badawi, also took part in the talks.
Previously the NSF had boycotted the idea of talks with President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, who has been the target of protester rage in weeks of violent demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Egypt's armed forces, for decades at the centre of power, will avoid involvement in politics but could have a role if things became "complicated", the chief of staff said yesterday.
It also expects rival political groups to solve disputes by dialogue, Major General Sedki Sobhi told Reuters