Mubarak ruling party in Egypt says it's ready for dialogue

CAIRO (AP) -- President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party says it is ready to open a dialogue with the youths who have staged three days of anti-government protests.

Safwat El-Sherif, the secretary general of the National Democratic Party, also called today for restraint by the security forces and protesters during a rally planned for after Friday prayers.

However, el-Sharif, a longtime confidant of President Hosni Mubarak, did not offer any concessions to the protesters demanding Mubarak's ouster nor suggest that steps would be taken to address their complaints about poverty, unemployment and poverty.

"The minority does not force its will on the majority," he said.