Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Rejects US Pressure

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood is throwing its weight behind the country’s military-backed government in an escalating dispute with the U.S. over pro-democracy groups Egypt accuses of seeking to foment protests against the country’s military rulers.

The group praised in a statement Wednesday what it called the government’s “nationalist” position on the conflict over the role of the groups in Egypt’s politics.

The saga has turned into one of the worst quarrels between Egypt and the U.S. since Hosni Mubarak’s ouster.

The government referred 43 employees of various groups, including 16 Americans, to a criminal court for trial.

The U.S. threatened to cut off hundreds of millions in aid.

The Brotherhood, which controls a majority in parliament, said it rejects such U.S. pressure.