CAIRO: If the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) insisted on their situation and refused to participate in the current strike organized by Egyptians Tahrir, they would lose the confidence of people according to the former spokesman of the MB in the West, Dr. Kamal al-Helbawy. The former official of the group said the MB's withdrawal from the current strike affected their popularity and emphasizes only the protesters of Tahrir have legitimacy currently. Al-Helbawy said in an interview with ‘This is the Capital' TV program. Al-Helbawy said the revolution granted the MB political gains, such as announcing the headquarters of their party, which is grand among other political party's, and exercising their political role freely in the street without security interference. He added the MB should appreciate the revolution and work to achieve its objectives and consequently the interest of Egyptians. Al-Helbawy denied any secret agreements or deals between the MB and the military council, and there is no danger in the current stage. He added the MB has the ability to rally different national power behind national objectives, and he criticized the allocation a special platform for the MB in Friday's demonstrations. The current phase needs the unity of all powers. Al-Helbawy said the MB doesn't believe in discrimination between Muslims and Christians, underlining their decision to appoint a Coptic Christian, Rafik Habib, as a vice-president of the Freedom and Justice Party, the first political entity of the MB recognized by the government. Al-Helbawy praised such a step as an important indicator of good intentions towards all Egyptians. He said the MB would support any Christian candidate for Egypt's presidency, as long as they are more honest and more efficient than the Muslim counterparts. Al-Helbawy expressed hopes of the next president of Egypt will be as the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmedinijad, who resists Western desires and criticizes Arab regimes subject to the U.S. and its allies. The MB's official added the MB is keen to achieve the interests of Coptic Christians and women without orders from the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. He stressed the MB accepts conducting dialogue with all international parties, not only the U.S., conditioning and not ignoring Palestinian rights. About the presidential candidates, Al-Helbawy said there are attempts to convince the three Islamic candidates to concede to only one Islamic candidate to gain the support of all Islamists. He criticized nominating Amr Moussa since he is one of the figures of the former regime and contributed to creating policies even if he hasn't involved in corruption. He said Dr. Mohamed al-Baradei is a great man and philosopher who raised the slogan of change before all political powers in Egypt. He praised Aboul Fotouh as one of the former members of the MB and stresses he will not be separated from the principles of the MB. Al-Helbawy suggests investigation accurately before suspending or dismissing any member to be a model for Egypt's judiciary in achieving justice and transparency.
