Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt: We won't take over gov't

Representatives of the movement say they won't have a presidential candidate; 3 killed, 100 wounded in southern Egypt riots.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Muslim Brotherhood press conference 311 AP (photo credit: AP)
Muslim Brotherhood press conference 311 AP
(photo credit: 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.
RELATED:The Muslim Brothers' deceptive pragmatismMuslim Brotherhood text reveals scope of radical creedClinton tentatively welcomes Muslim Brotherhood
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.
Click here for full Jpost coverage of unrest in Egypt
Click here for full Jpost coverage of unrest in Egypt