Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak says the banned but tolerated Muslim Brotherhood is a threat to the country.
In an interview with the Egyptian weekly Al-Osboa, Mr. Mubarak said the Brotherhood is dangerous because of its religious approach to political matters. The Brotherhood seeks to turn Egypt into an Islamic state using peaceful means.
Mr. Mubarak said growing Islamic influence in Egypt would cause a plunge in foreign investment, a flight of foreign currency and an increase in joblessness. He said Egypt would be isolated from the rest of the world.
The Brotherhood is the largest opposition bloc in Egypt's parliament, with one-fifth of the seats. The group ran candidates as independents in the 2005 elections.
Since early this year, Mr. Mubarak's government has waged a campaign against the Brotherhood, arresting hundreds of its members.
President Mubarak has proposed constitutional reforms to bar religious groups from forming political parties.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, Reuters.
