The Salafist Nour Party has announced its intention to take part in President Mohamed Morsi’s ‘national dialogue’ initiative aimed at resolving Egypt’s ongoing political crisis, Nour Party Chairman Youssef Makhioun stated on Monday.

"The national interest should be put above all personal interests…the private agendas of political forces should be set aside," said Nour Party Secretary-General Galal Mora, stressing the importance of resolving Egypt’s political impasse via dialogue.

Mora called on Egyptian political parties to give dialogue a chance so as to reach compromises that would yield long-term – rather than temporary – solutions.

After declaring a state of emergency in Suez, Ismailia and Port Said on Sunday night, President Morsi called on all political parties to engage in talks at the Presidential Palace in hopes of resolving the current crisis.

The death toll rose dramatically in Port Said when a court on Saturday sentenced 21 Port Said residents to death for their involvement in last February's Port Said stadium disaster, in which scores of football fans were killed. Since then, the city has witnessed intense rioting, with residents accusing the central government of scapegoating and marginalising them.

Intermittent clashes remain ongoing in Cairo, Damanhour and Alexandria. The nationwide death toll is now estimated at more than 50 with hundreds more injured. At least 296 protesters have been arrested since Friday, according to security sources.