Cairo, July 02: Egypt’s powerful Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, said it is willing to hold talks with the United States, taking up an offer of dialogue seen as an implicit recognition by Washington that the group will likely hold significant political power in Egypt’s post-Hosni Mubarak era.
The Brotherhood’s bid for prominence comes at a time of growing discontent by pro-democracy protesters toward the military council that took power in Egypt after Mubarak’s ouster in February.
Thousands of pro-democracy protesters waving Egyptian flags and banners rallied yesterday in Tahrir Square, demanding speedy trials for former regime figures and policemen accused of killing protesters during the 18-day revolt that claimed 846 lives.
The demonstration came after clashes broke out earlier this week between police and protesters pushing for faster reforms. More than 1,000 people were injured and more than 30 arrested in the melees.
The Brotherhood has largely stayed clear from the recent protests, denouncing most of them as unfocused and unnecessary.
Brotherhood spokesman Mohammed Ghozlan was responding to comments by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday that the Obama administration is reaching out to the fundamentalist group in a “limited” effort to build ties and promote democratic principles.
“We welcome dialogue with America to remove any misunderstandings and bridge gaps,” Ghozlan said.
He said it would be the first time the Brotherhood holds talks with the United States. However, there were reports of indirect and informal contacts between Brotherhood and US officials several years ago particularly when the group was represented in Egypt’s former parliament.
–Agencies