Brotherhood urges referendum on Camp David

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CAIRO, June 12 (UPI) -- Egypt's outlawed Muslim Brotherhood Organization called for holding a national referendum on the Camp David peace treaty with Israel.

The Brotherhood's spiritual guide Mohammed Mehdi Akef said in a television interview Sunday night that the Camp David peace treaty signed between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin should be cancelled if the Egyptian people vote against it.

"I respect all the international treaties signed by Egypt, but regarding the treaty with Israel, I hope it will be put up for a popular referendum," Akef said.

"As such, we don't recognize the Camp David treaty and if the people vote for cancellation, then let's cancel it," he added.

It was the first time that the Muslim Brotherhood which won at least 70 seats in parliament at the latest general elections calls for conducting a referendum on the 1979 treaty.

The treaty which outlined the bases of peace with Israel was the reason behind the assassination of President Sadat in 1981 by Muslim extremists.

Egypt and Jordan are the only Arab states which have signed official peace treaties with Israel.