The nomination of Khairat el-Shater, a millionaire businessman, puts the Islamist movement within reach of taking power in an Arab country for the first time in its 84-year history.
While many Egyptians will welcome the announcement, it is almost certain to heighten fears among liberals and Coptic Christians that the Brotherhood is seeking a monopoly on power with the intention of creating an Islamic state.
Senior officials in the movement defended the move, saying they had been left with no choice after the transitional military leadership prevented them from forming a civilian government despite securing an overwhelming victory in parliamentary elections earlier this year. [telegraph.co.uk] Read more
