It is highly unlikely that the radical banned Islamic movement Muslim Brotherhood will come to power in Egypt, an Egyptian journalist said on Tuesday.
"The most the Muslim Brotherhood can hope for is 20% of the seats in the Egyptian parliament if free and fair elections are held in Egypt," Hani Shadi, a Moscow-based Egyptian journalist, said.
Egypt has been hit by violent protests against the 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak since January 25. The riots have already claimed the lives of about 150 people, which another 4,000 reported injured.
Some media voiced concerns that the controversial Islamic movement, which has recently come to light amid mass anti-government protests in the country, could eventually take power in the Arab country.
However, Shadi dismissed the fears as ungrounded saying: "I would like to appease media representatives. Egypt was and will remain a secular state."
Another witness of Egypt's events, Magid Al-Sawy, said the speculation that Muslim Brotherhood will seize power is nothing else than a "red herring" used by President Hosni Mubarak to preserve his rule.
MOSCOW, February 1 (RIA Novosti)
