Cairo: The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s most influential opposition group, says it will enter talks with officials on ending the country’s political crisis.
“The talks will begin on Sunday and will assess how far the government was ready to accept the demands of the people,” the group told media.
The negotiations would be the first ever to be held between the government and the officially banned Brotherhood.
President Hosni Mubarak has rejected protesters’ demands that he quit now.
Mubarak – who has been in office since 1981, tolerating little dissent – has said he will not stand in elections due in September.
Huge crowds have been on the streets of Cairo and other cities in the past few weeks demanding his immediate resignation and calling for democratic reforms.
The Muslim Brotherhood had previously said it would not take part in negotiations between the government and opposition groups.
But a spokesman said: “We have decided to engage in a round of dialogue to ascertain the seriousness of officials towards the demands of the people and their willingness to respond to them.”
He said the dialogue was also aimed at ending “foreign or regional interference” in the situation.
The Islamist group is Egypt’s most influential and well-organised opposition but it remains officially banned and its members and leaders have been subject to frequent repression.
Mubarak has blamed it for the unrest and said that if he leaves, the group will exploit the ensuing political chaos.
The Muslim Brotherhood denies accusations that it is seeking to create an Islamist state in Egypt.
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