Muslim Brotherhood Not Interested in Grabbing Egypt Power

The Muslim Brotherhood wants to promote democracy but and does intend to grab the power in Egypt, it has announced.

"The Muslim Brotherhood are not seeking power," Mohammed Morsi, a member of the group's media office, said at a Cairo news conference.

"We want to participate, not to dominate. We will not have a presidential candidate, we want to participate and help, we are not seeking power," said Mursi, who has joined in meetings with new Vice President Omar Suleiman.

"Why is there this fear of the Muslim Brotherhood? Nothing can justify this fear of Islam. We reject the idea of a religious state." Essam al-Erian, another senior member who spoke at the same press conference, added, insisting the group only wanted free and fair democratic elections.

The revivalist Muslim Brotherhood the largest and most organized opposition movement in Egypt. Since it has a religious agenda it is officially abolished in the country. However, Brotherhood candidates ran as independents in the 2005 election and won 88 of 444 parliamentary seats.

Meanwhile, thousands of Egyptian workers went on strike Thursday to demand better compensation, adding pressure on the country's embattled President Hosni Mubarak.Workers in various sectors launched strikes nationwide, including employees in the petroleum, railway and telecommunication industries.

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