On his TV program 'New Egypt' on ETC, Rashwan dismissed reports on some platforms that "the dialogue has ended" as "unfounded."

“The National Dialogue is not a forum to exchange ideas or pleasantries or compare criticisms: It is a serious matter and, therefore, needs serious preparation,” Rashwan said

The 19-members board of trustees will continue work on developing subcommittees on Monday, Rashwan added.

The board of trustees has already formed the political, social, and economic tracks subcommittees, Rashwan reminded his viewers.

The fifth meeting will focus on choosing rapporteurs and assistant rapporteurs for each of the dialogue's 15 subcommittees that will oversee discussing political, social and economic tracks, he added.

Last week, the board of trustees of the dialogue postponed its fifth meeting that was scheduled for 27 August to 5 September.

Negad El-Borai, a member of the board of trustees, explained at the time that the meeting was postponed because some members of the board were ill and others were abroad.

"The fifth meeting is very important. It will put the final touches necessary for the national dialogue meetings to at last kick off," El-Borai, a prominent human rights lawyer, stressed.

Rashwan informed the viewers during the introduction to his program on ETC that he had been bed-ridden in the last three weeks due to coronavirus and other health problems.

He stressed that the dialogue, which was launched by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in April, includes most if not all the official and legitimate political forces and parties in in the country.

He said that various political alliances, including the opposition Civil Democratic Movement, are participating in the dialogue.

He added that there are ongoing talks with a number of prominent figures to participate.

Rashwan, who heads the journalists syndicate and the State Information Service (SIS), stressed that no political forces have withdrawn from the dialogue, adding 

The political track subcommittees will coordinate discussions on the exercise of political rights, parliamentary representation and political parties, municipal councils, and human rights and public freedoms, he stated.

Meanwhile, the social track subcommittees will discuss education, health, family and social cohesion, culture and national identity.

The economic track subcommittees will discuss inflation and high prices, public debt, the budget deficit and fiscal reform, general investment priorities and state ownership, private investment (local and foreign), and industry.