Muslim Brotherhood: 'We are not seeking power'

CNN News, From Saad Abedine, February 9, 2011

Protests going strong in Cairo

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Islamist umbrella group says it will work to promote democracy
• It does not intend to field a candidate for the presidency
• It says the regime has been using the organization as a scarecrow

Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- The Muslim Brotherhood said Wednesday it will promote democracy in Egypt but does not intend to field a candidate for president.

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

The Islamist umbrella group also sought to dispel fears that it would push for an Islamic state in a post-Hosni Mubarak era.

"We reject the religious state," said Mohammed Katatny, former head of the Muslim Brotherhood's parliamentary bloc. "We are not responsible of the speeches and statements of external forces. The regime have been using the Muslim Brotherhood scarecrow to tell the world that the regime is the only one who can safeguard the country, but this is wrong and it is their way to try to ignore the people's demands."

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