Muslim Brotherhood won't field candidate

CAIRO, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood said Wednesday it would promote democracy in Egypt but wouldn't field a candidate in the fall elections.

The Islamic organization also tried to calm fears that it would push for an Islamic state after President Hosni Mubarak is out of office, CNN said.

"The Muslim Brotherhood (is) not seeking power," said Mohammed Morsi, a member of the organization's media office. "We want to participate, not to dominate. We will not have a presidential candidate. (We) want to participate and help; we are not seeking power."

Anti-government protests have been occurring across Egypt since Jan. 25, with demonstrators calling for the 82-year-old Mubarak to end his 30-year rule, among other things. Soon after the protests began, Mubarak announced he would not seek re-election in September.

Mohammed Katatny, another Muslim Brotherhood official, told CNN the group wasn't responsible for statements made by "external forces."

Katatny said the government has used the Muslim Brotherhood "to tell the world that the (Mubarak) regime is the only one who can safeguard the country, but this is wrong and it is their way to try to ignore the people's demands."