For the past 13 years, the founders of the Al Wasat party, which seeks to bring together moderate Islamists and a sprinkling of Christians, have laboured to constitute themselves as a political party in Egypt. As of last week, they will have to labour longer and harder.

A committee that authorises political entities in Egypt refused Al Wasat permission to register formally as a party – for the fourth time. Without a hint of irony, the committee said Al Wasat had “nothing new” to offer Egyptian political life.