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Muslim Brotherhood Backs Egypt's Military—for Now

Islamist group won't call for immediate handover: interview

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 9, 2012 11:07 AM CST

(Newser) – Instead of moving to quash Egypt's temporary military leadership, the Muslim Brotherhood is getting behind it, the head of the Islamist group's political party tells the New York Times. The military aims to maintain its appointed prime minister and Cabinet until the presidential election in June, but the Brotherhood's decision to support that has prompted concern among Egyptians worried that the group has gone too easy on the country's leadership for too long.

But Essam al-Erian notes that "no people can support" permanent power for the military, and the Brotherhood's political party will fight for the Parliament's right to pick a future constitutional assembly. Following the presidential election and ratification of a new constitution, "within three months we can have the military back in their camps safely," Erian says. He also rejected claims that the Brotherhood wouldn't accept longstanding American aid. "If the Americans are ready to support a democratic government in Egypt, this means a lot." Click through for more from the interview.

Egyptian election workers load ballot boxes onto a truck Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012.
Egyptian election workers load ballot boxes onto a truck Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012.   (AP Photo/Ahmed Ali)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
WatTyler
Jan 21, 2012 10:54 PM CST
ElBaradei never had a chance. In fact the reasons why the west liked ElBaradei, were the same reasons why Egyptians didn't like him. They saw him as too western and out of touch with current life in Egypt. They weren't going to vote for someone they suspected might be a western puppet. His withdrawl is the best move he can make. He needs to re-establish himself in Egypt, and position himself for the inevitable backlash against the more radical islamist groups. The youth of Egypt (and they are the many), are forward thinking mostly secular modern muslims. They won't put up with a too radical brand of Islam being foisted upon them. ElBaradei needs to be ready in the future to take advantage of this
 

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