Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood to contest elections

Cairo: Egypt's largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, says it will contest upcoming parliamentary elections despite calls for a boycott.

The decision highlights the fragmented state of Egypt's opposition parties. Some blocs say they will skip the polls to protest what they say are a lack of guarantees to ensure a fair and transparent vote.

Lawmaker Saad el-Katatni, who leads the Brotherhood's parliamentary caucus, said Thursday the group will field candidates in the November elections.

Abdel-Rahman al-Bar, known as the Brotherhood's spiritual adviser, also urged supporters to vote.

The Brotherhood won 88 seats in Egypt's current 454-seat parliament. Its candidates run as independents because the group is officially banned by the government.