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Muslim Brothers want slower transition

Thousands of Egyptians demonstrate in Cairo's Tahrir Square during an uprising to demand political and economic change on March 4, 2011 a day after Essam Sharaf was named New Prime Minister. Today's protest, which was meant to press for change, turned into a massive celebration following news that Shafiq had been replaced by Sharaf. UPI
Thousands of Egyptians demonstrate in Cairo's Tahrir Square during an uprising to demand political and economic change on March 4, 2011 a day after Essam Sharaf was named New Prime Minister. Today's protest, which was meant to press for change, turned into a massive celebration following news that Shafiq had been replaced by Sharaf. UPI | License Photo

CAIRO, March 7 (UPI) -- Elections in Egypt should be delayed until a series of amendments are made to the current political system, the Muslim Brotherhood said.

Muslim Brotherhood Chairman Mohamed Badie met with members of the ruling military council in Cairo to discuss the future of the Egyptian political system.

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The military authority in Egypt vowed to have open elections this year after Hosni Mubarak resigned in February amid heightened protests. Mubarak had taken office in 1981 after the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

Military leaders said they would like to have elections within six months, though reform groups that joined the Muslim Brotherhood said they needed a longer transition period, the group said on its official Ikhwanweb site.

"According to the opposition leaders, no elections will be appropriately held before numerous amendments including amending the law on elections, abolishing the committee for political party affairs, and transforming the state-run media in favor of the people," the statement read. "(Opposition) party leaders added that more time was also needed to prepare their respective parties for the polls."

The Muslim Brotherhood, shortly after Mubarak's resignation, said it was forming an official political party. The group took 20 percent of the seats in Parliament in 2005 by fielding candidates as independents.

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The reform movement said, however, that it wasn't fielding a candidate for president.

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