Cairo, Apr 30: The Muslim Brotherhood, which was instrumental in the uprising against former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, today announced the formation of a party to contest the parliamentary elections in September.
 The group, regarded as the most organised political force after the ouster of Mubarak in February, also approved a programme for their 'Freedom and Justice Party'.
 "We have adopted the measures taken by the guidance council regarding the Freedom and Justice Party and adopted its programme," Muhammad Hussein, the group's secretary general, said at a press conference after Shura (consultative) Council meeting.
 The Brotherhood said it has decided to contest between 45 and 50 per cent of the seats, Al Ahram newspaper reported.
 The group also said it will not field a presidential candidate in the upcoming elections.
 Muhammad Morsy, a spokesperson and a member of the group's guidance bureau, will head the party.
 Morsy said that it would be a civil and not a "theocratic" party.
 "It is not an Islamist party in the old understanding, it is not theocratic," said Morsy.
 "It is a civil party," he added.
 Egypt's constitution bars parties on religion, class and regionalism. The Muslim Brotherhood ran its candidates as independents in previous elections.
 In 2005, they won nearly a fifth of the total in the People's Assembly, making them the largest opposition bloc in the lower house of parliament.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 May 2011 00:00:00 IST