Egyptian presidential candidate and former head of the Arab League Amr Moussa paid a visit to Pope Shenouda III, the leader of the Coptic Church, in Abbasiya Cathedral Thursday morning. Pope Shenouda praised the decisions taken by Moussa while he was leading the Arab League.

The two discussed current events in Egypt. Moussa said that Egypt is suffering from misunderstandings on the concept of democracy and that there are several differing opinions on the transition to democracy, an example of which is what should come first, parliamentary elections or a new constitution?

“The transition period should be shortened. Presidential elections is the first step, then electing a panel to draft the new constitution,” said Moussa. He also recommended that different sects in society be represented on the panel, including civil society, Al-Azhar representatives and the Coptic Church’s representatives, to be ensure the constitution protects the rights of different constituencies in society.

Moussa also discussed how the old regime caused contagious problems in Egyptian society, and how it used the sectarian issue for its own interests while Egyptians paid the price.

Pope Shenouda wished Moussa good luck in his presidential campaign.