Egypt’s Brotherhood Fields Presidential Candidate

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood says it has decided to field the movement’s deputy leader and top strategist as its presidential candidate, topping off its success in legislative elections with a bid for the country’s most powerful post.

Top leaders of the country’s most influential political group announced in a Saturday press conference that it selected Khayrat el-Shater to contest the presidential race set to start in May.

The move reverses a pledge made by the group’s leaders not to contest presidential elections to reassure liberals and Western countries fearful of an Islamic takeover.

The move is also likely to alarm the country’s military rulers, whose relationship with the Brotherhood has become increasingly confrontational in recent weeks.