Muslim Brotherhood not to contest Egyptian presidential poll

Cairo, Jan 27(ANI): The Muslim Brotherhood, which has clinched two thirds of the seats in the historic parliamentary polls, has said it will not run for the Egyptian presidency in the June elections.

"The Muslim Brotherhood will not support [former member] Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh or any candidate who has an Islamic reference in the presidential elections," leader Mohammed Badie said.

He added that the movement would "reach an agreement with all national powers on the qualifications of the upcoming president," stressing that "the demands of the Egyptian nation are on (sic) the top of the Muslim Brotherood's priorities".

The Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party had earlier won 235 seats or 47.18 percent support in Egypt's new People's Assembly, News 24 reports.

The Egyptian military, which took power after the ouster of former ruler Hosni Mubarak, has said that it would hand over power to the president after polls. (ANI)