CAIRO: While Egyptians are converging on Cairo's Tahrir Square in response to a call for a million-man march to protest against the country's military rulers, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood officially declared it will not take part in the march. The group says the decision stems from a desire “not to drag the people into new bloody clashes.” “The blood of the martyrs will not be lost – but will continue to be a curse on the heads of those who contributed to the bloody events – and out of our commitment not to lure people to more bloody confrontations, we call for reason and wisdom of all honest, patriotic Egyptians, and hereby declare that we will not participate in any protests or demonstrations that may lead to more confrontations and tensions,” read a statement released by the group on Tuesday. As the country's largest and best-organized political group, many have see the move as motivated by a desire not to get involved in anything that could disturb parliamentary elections that are due to start next Monday. Analysts believe that the Freedom and Justice party (FJP), the Muslim Brotherhood affiliated party will perform well in elections, as they wield a significant grassroots capacity. “We don't need them,” Zeinab Kheir, a lawyer and an activist, said referring to the Brotherhood, vilified by many activists as an opportunistic, self-serving group. But the Brotherhood may have underestimated the appeal of the secular-minded activists and the depth of anger over the military rulers' failings. The offer of Egypt's civilian Cabinet to resign Monday after three days of violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Tahrir Square, failed to satisfy protesters deeply frustrated with the military. While millions are merging at Tahrir, the Muslim Brotherhood focuses on calling “for the rapid prosecution of all those who caused the heinous crimes that took place and were reported to the Attorney General.” They also “urgently call the government to stop the bloodshed by withdrawing the security forces from the bloody confrontation.” “We will constantly endeavor, together with all parties, to end the strife sparked by the Interior Ministry in the whole country, which left lawlessness prevail in many governorates, while striking demonstrators with an iron fist.” BM
