Another pause; then: “I will not oppose or block legislation or debate on the subject of membership into the Muslim Brotherhood in the People’s Assembly, and I will allow Brotherhood officials to obtain temporary visas so that they may enter the country to meet with our lawmakers and government officials to discuss membership. But I promise, I will slam the door shut again if I learn that the Brotherhood tries to organize antigovemment movements within Egypt, or they try to funnel weapons or money to any antigovemment organizations within Egypt.”

“This I cannot guarantee.”

“Then our negotiations are ended. I will allow open, free debate on the subject of Brotherhood membership, Minister, but I will not tolerate sedition or conspiracy. We’ll let the people decide, without bribes or payoffs.”

Hijazi paused. They were certainly not going to negotiate every last detail—the important point here was that Susan Bailey Salaam was talking, negotiating, not threatening. Hijazi at first thought that perhaps she didn’t have those American forces under her command anymore, that maybe all this was a bluff—but now was not the time to think about that either. A turning point was happening. He could either seize it, or let it slip out of his fingers.

“Very well, Madame. All this is subject to further negotiation, a written agreement, and His Highness’s concurrence,” Hijazi reminded her.

“Our deal will also have to be ratified by our People’s Assembly,” Salaam said. “And it of course presupposes that I will be given authority to negotiate anything with Libya.”

“Of course. I understand.”

“I have a demand, Minister,” Salaam said.

“I thought you said we have nothing to offer you, Madame.”

“This you will do, or all our negotiations cease immediately and we go back to war.”

“Another ultimatum? How unskilled you are at negotiations, Madame. But please, proceed anyway.”

“Zuwayy, you, General Fazani, and the entire Libyan government will endorse and support me as the next president of Egypt,” Susan Bailey Salaam said.

“What? We . . . endorse you?”

“Not only you personally and as representatives of your government, but the king as leader of the Muslim Brotherhood,” Salaam went on. “A full and public endorsement, without any reservation. I require an endorsement from all the other leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood as well.”

“If you want their endorsement, Madame, ask them yourself.”

“If Zuwayy is indeed the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, then his word should be all that’s required to give me what I want,” Salaam said. “If the Brotherhood is nothing more than a paper tiger, then this is a good opportunity for me to find out before I give any further support for it.”

“I... I cannot go in front of Zuwayy.... I mean, His Highness, and ask him to throw all his support behind the person who attacked his holy city.”