U.S. lawmaker blasts Muslim Bros. party

WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- It's "deeply disturbing" that the Egyptian government recognized the Muslim Brotherhood's political party given its radical views, a U.S. lawmaker said.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement she was appalled by Cairo's official recognition of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party.

"The Muslim Brotherhood is committed to violence and extremism," she said. "Neither freedom nor justice will be advanced by any political party established by the Muslim Brotherhood."

The Muslim Brotherhood was banned by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Its independent candidates took 20 percent of the seats in the Egyptian Parliament in 2005. It ran last year under the slogan "Islam is the Solution" and claims it has no plans to field a candidate for presidential elections in Egypt.

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said after meeting with Egyptian officials that Washington looked forward to a strong relationship with a democratic Egypt, however.

"Democracy is difficult," said Mullen. "Americans know this. It is my view that the (transitional) Supreme Council also realizes the challenges they are facing, the pressure they are under and the expectations of the people."