A five-member delegation from the National Democratic Action Society (Wa'ad), headed by former parliament candidate Dr Munira Fakhro, is taking part in the National Dialogue.

The delegation will also include Fareeda Ghuloom, wife of Wa'ad secretary-general Ibrahim Sharif, who was sentenced on Wednesday to five years in prison by the Lower National Safety Court.

Sharif was among 21 men convicted of establishing and administrating terror groups to overthrow the regime as well as having links with a foreign terrorist organisation.

Ghuloom confirmed her participation to the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, but said she could not give other details unless approved by the society's Central Committee.

The committee held a two-hour meeting on Wednesday night, following which members agreed to participate in the dialogue, despite a sentence being issued against one of its top leaders.

'Our delegation will be headed by Dr Fakhro, who is a veteran politician, to lead the society for the National Dialogue,' said Wa'ad deputy secretary-general Redha Al Mousawi, who will be part of the delegation. Other members include Hafedh Hafedh and Mahmood Hafedh.

The dialogue will focus on four key areas - political, social, economic and human rights. 'I will be handling political issues, while Ghuloom will deal with social topics in the dialogue,' said Al Mousawi.

'Lawyer Hafedh Hafedh will raise human rights issues and Mahmood Hafedh will speak about various economic aspects.'

Wa'ad, which has nearly 650 registered members, yesterday submitted its final draft agenda for the dialogue. Society members say their demands continue to remain the same as they were during anti-government protests.

'Our demand for a constitutional monarchy is top priority,' said Al Mousawi. 'This has been our main demand that we have pushed for during the 2002, 2006 and 2010 parliament elections.'

He said one of their suggestions in their agenda was to give parliament legislative and executive rights to elect a government.

'The parliament should be the main decision maker, while the Shura Council should only play a consultancy role,' said Al Mousawi.

The society in its draft also raised the issue of sacked Bahraini workers and the expulsion of a group of students from Bahrain University among other issues.

'There had been confusion among our members, especially after a statement was released by the society welcoming the dialogue,' said Al Mousawi.

'We believe in this dialogue and that it is good for the country. But we are also an opposition group that will not shy away from discussing anything,' he added.

Meanwhile, government sources said the private sector was to be represented at the next month's National Dialogue.

A delegation from the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has been invited to take part in the talks process, according to sources.

BCCI chairman Dr Essam Fakhro will lead the delegation, which is also expected to include board members Jawad Al Hawaj, Khalid Al Amin, Saqer Shaheen, Ibrahim Zainal and Abdul Hameed Al Kooheji.-TradeArabia News Service