ElBaradei best for change, MB leaders say

LONDON, June 21 (UPI) -- Opposition leaders in Cairo should rally behind Egyptian diplomat Mohammed ElBaradei as the best option for political change, officials said in London.

Kamal el-Hilbawi, a spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe, called on the Egyptian opposition to rally behind ElBaradei because of his reputation and ability to usher in political change in Cairo, the Egyptian daily newspaper al-Masry al-Youm reports.

ElBaradei returned to Cairo in February after leaving his position as the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency lending to speculation he may challenge President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 elections.

The diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize recipient told CNN International during his April trip to the United States that the presidency wasn't his primary goal.

"My primary goal is to see my country, Egypt, a country where I grew up, making a genuine shift toward democracy," ElBaradei said.

The Muslim Brotherhood spokesman said the leadership of the banned political movement should call on all leaders older than 65 to step down from their positions in order to devote their energy to reform.

His comments came during a London summit on the future of the Islamic community.