Members of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) opposition group's authoritative Guidance Bureau met on Monday to discuss the reasons for MB General Guide Mahdi Akef's angry departure from a bureau meeting the previous day. "I'm still General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood," said Akef, expressing surprise at what had been written in the press about his alleged resignation. "I will not leave my post before my term expires in January." MB Deputy Guide Muhammad Habib confirmed that Akef, despite recent reports to the contrary, remained the group's leader. "He is a man respected by all," said Habib. A Sunday meeting of bureau members witnessed an uncharacteristically heated debate over the proposed appointment to the bureau of prominent MB member Essam el-Erian. While the appointment of el-Erian -- a reformist -- is supported by Akef, it is opposed by the group's more conservative members. At Monday's meeting, it was decided to postpone discussion of el-Erian's appointment. "Brotherhood regulations transcend individual members," said MB Secretary-General Mahmoud Ezzat. "And they are followed by all." Translated from the Arabic Edition.
