Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt: We won't take over gov't
By JPOST.COM STAFF
LAST UPDATED: 02/09/2011 15:53
Representatives of the movement say they won't have a presidential candidate; 3 killed, 100 wounded in southern Egypt riots.
Muslim Brotherhood leaders Photo: AP
Representatives of
the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt said they do not want to take over but
merely want to be a part of government, CNN reported Wednesday.
"The
Muslim Brotherhood is not seeking power," an official said speaking at a
press conference. "We will not have a presidential candidate, we want
to participate and help, we are not seeking power," according to the
report.
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In a move intended to distance the movement from allegations that it is
an extremist group, former head of the Muslim Brotherhood's
parliamentary bloc, Mohammed Katatny, said: "We reject the religious
state."
"We are not responsible for the speeches and statements of external
forces." Katatny added, "The regime has been using the Muslim
Brotherhood scarecrow to tell the world that the regime is the only one
who can safeguard the country, but this is wrong and it is their way to
try to ignore the people's demands," CNN reported.
Last week, the Brotherhood participated, along side other opposition
groups, in official talks with Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman as
part of a national dialogue.
Despite warnings sounded from various world leaders, including the
current Egyptian leadership, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
tentatively welcomed the group's participation in the negotiations over
Egypt's future.
Meanwhile, three people were killed and 100 were
wounded in the town of El Khargo in southern Egypt, 400 kilometers (240
miles) south of Cairo in two days of clashes between police and
political demonstrators, AFP reported on Wednesday.
According to
the report, local police began firing live rounds when a crowd assembled
in the oasis town, located in Egypt's New Valley region, began rioting.
The
mob responded by setting seven official buildings on fire including the
local headquarters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's ruling
National Democratic Party.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
