Cairo: Egypt's powerful Muslim Brotherhood said on Friday it is willing to hold talks with the United States, taking up an offer of dialogue seen as an implicit recognition by Washington that the group will likely hold significant political power in Egypt's post-Hosni Mubarak era.
The Brotherhood's bid for prominence comes at a time of growing discontent by pro-democracy protesters towards the military council that took power in Egypt after Mubarak was deposed in February.
Thousands of pro-democracy protesters waving Egyptian flags and banners rallied on Friday in Tahrir Square, demanding speedy trials for former regime figures and policemen accused of killing protesters during the 18-day revolt that claimed 846 lives.
The demonstration came after clashes broke out last week between police and protesters pushing for faster reforms. More than 1,000 people were injured and more than 30 arrested in the melees. The Brotherhood has largely stayed clear from the recent protests, denouncing most of them as unfocused and unnecessary.
US building ties
Brotherhood spokesman Mohammad Ghozlan was responding to comments by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday that the Obama administration is reaching out to the group in a "limited" effort to build ties and promote democratic principles.
"We welcome dialogue with America to remove any misunderstandings and bridge gaps," Ghozlan told The Associated Press.
He said it would be the first time the Brotherhood holds talks with the US. However, there were reports of indirect and informal contacts between Brotherhood and US officials several years ago, particularly when the group was represented in Egypt's former parliament.
Neither side gave any indication of when the talks would take place.
The Brotherhood was banned for decades and was heavily suppressed by Mubarak, who was closely allied to the US. But the ban was lifted after he left, and the Brotherhood is campaigning hard for upcoming parliamentary elections.
In her comments on Thursday, Clinton said the outreach to the Brotherhood was part of a general desire in the administration to engage all Egyptian groups as long as they espouse non-violence.
Ammar Ali Hassan, expert in Islamic groups, said the Brotherhood will likely try to float "conditions" or "reservations" on any dialogue to avoid a perception that it is allowing the US to meddle in Egypt's internal affairs.
"Now the Muslim Brotherhood will not have to worry in moving forward towards taking over power," Hassan said. "For decades, the US has been eying this possibility and is ready to open channels with whoever is the leading force in the country."
