Muslim brotherhood boycott Egypt’s army civilian council

CAIRO: Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood (MB), leading the field in parliamentary elections, said on Thursday it would shun a new council set up by military rulers to help oversee the drafting of a constitution.

The popular Islamist group said it feared the civilian body, which brings together politicians, presidential candidates and youth representatives, would usurp the authority of the new parliament and could become a permanent fixture in Egypt.

"After participating in the initial negotiations ... it became apparent that the advisory group will have a mandate beyond the transitional period headed by the military council," said Mohamed al-Katatni, a senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP).

Analysts say the advisory group could become another means for the military to bypass parliament, which looks certain to have a large Islamist bloc, after it cedes power following presidential elections next June.

The army took charge in February after the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak and on Thursday unveiled the 30-member council which will have a mandate to cover discussions on international treaties and the constitution.

"The advisory council will assist the military council in all matters important to the nation and public opinion," the army council said, denying suggestions that it would continue to function once a new president was elected in June 2012.

A source close to the project told Reuters earlier that if the committee proved successful, its mandate could be extended.

"If this body succeeds to resolve national issues, it could possibly evolve into a national defence committee and stay in force even after a president is elected," the source said, making clear that army figures could join the group later.

Al-Katatni, whose FJP party has led early polling in recent weeks, said an advisory council would "detract from the (parliament) and intervene in the formation of the founding assembly to draft the constitution". (Reuters)