Muslim Brotherhood delays endorsement

CAIRO, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The Muslim Brotherhood's political wing in Egypt isn't endorsing a presidential candidate until after the registration period closes in April, an official said.

Mohamed Morsi, head of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, said FJP wasn't planning on endorsing a candidate until at least April, Egyptian news service al-Ahram reports.

The first presidential elections in post-revolution Egypt are scheduled for late May. Registration for potential candidates starts mid-March and runs through April 18.

The FJP has a near-majority in the Egyptian Parliament. Al-Ahram says that whomever FJP endorses likely has the best shot at winning. The Muslim Brotherhood had said it wasn't fielding its own candidate.

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil el-Arabi dispelled rumors this week that the Muslim Brotherhood and the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces reached out to him about a possible bid for the Egyptian presidency.