Senior members of the Network of Arab Liberals assembled in the Egyptian resort Ain Souchna for a strategic planning workshop from November 4 to 6, 2007 in order to discuss and formulate the strategic priorities of the political group. Delegates from all member parties attended the deliberations and, following intensive discussions, agreed on a basic programmatic document.

In this, the Network states that it is committed to "the principles of freedom and responsibility, pluralism and tolerance, market economy and the secular state." The document asserts that "only strict democratic behaviour and the rule of law will avoid the further strengthening of fundamentalist and repressive regimes." It says that NAL "will support its member parties to fight for individual freedom regardless if race, gender and religion."

Following an assessment that Arab positions are not taken into consideration sufficiently and correctly in international fora, the Network declares that it aspires to become "an important factor for defending the Arab interests in the international community in order to overcome the unfair double standards oriented behaviour of some international powers".

In Ain Souchna, the delegates also discussed organizational issues of the Network such as membership, finances and fundraising, a permanent secretariat and a plan of future activities. They agreed that a provisional secretariat would be set up in Cairo and that the next activity would be held in Beirut in early 2008 and deal with political communications, and the organizational consolidation of the group.

In a congratulatory note read to the delegates at the beginning of the workshop, Lord Alderdice, the President of Liberal International, expresses support for the Network: "Liberal International highly values the efforts of each and everyone involved in NAL as you take the next necessary steps to further build the Network". The message was read by Mohand Lanser, Secretary General of the Moroccan member party Mouvement Populaire, who is a Vice President of Liberal International.

Liberal Discussions in Cairo

Following the workshop in Ain Souchna, the delegates moved to Cairo and attended an open forum entitled "Prospects of Liberalism in Egypt". At this activity, prominent Egyptian political personalities engaged in a lively discussion regarding the perspectives of liberalism in the country. The ruling National Democratic Front (NDP) was represented by the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the People’s Assembly, Dr. Mostafa El Feqqi; Wafd Party Secretary General Mr. Monein Fakhry Abdel Nour and the Secretary General of the Egyptian Union for Human Rights Mr. Hafez Abou Seiada presented their perspectives.

"The lively debates are a reflection of the pluralism in the Egyptian political community," said Jordanian parliamentarian and NAL-member Mr. Mohammed Arslan, who facilitated the discussions. Both events were also attended by Dr. Ronald Meinardus, the Regional Director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, who gave short congratulatory speeches.