Egypt urged to integrate Muslim Brothers into politics

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

CAIRO, June 18, 2008 (AFP) — Egypt should normalise the banned Muslim Brotherhood's role in political life, the International Crisis Group think-tank said on Wednesday, a move that would also benefit secular parties.

Rising social unrest because of high inflation combined with the prospect of 80-year-old President Hosni Mubarak handing over to an as-yet unknown successor make Egypt's future uncertain, the Brussels-based group said in a report.

Question marks, both in Egypt and abroad, over the Islamists' ultimate political ambitions after they won an unprecedented fifth of seats in parliament in 2005, are adding to the uncertainty.

The Brothers are now the largest opposition group in parliament, although they must sit as independents, with the regime in...