Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood challenges military rulers

Egypts largest political group, the Muslim Brotherhood, warned the countrys military rulers not to interfere in the writing of a new constitution.The statement from the Brotherhood marks the first time the group has directly challenged Egypts ruling military council since the ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak in February.The groups stand was prompted by comments from a senior government official this week that the military council will soon set out certain principles outlining who is eligible to draft a new constitution. The Brotherhood also fears the military is trying to enshrine a political role for itself in the constitution.Parliamentary elections are slated for later this year, and the Brotherhood and its fellow Islamists are expected to do well at the polls. That would likely give them a dominant voice in appointing the committee that will draft a new constitution.Muslim Brotherhood fears that specifying a political role for the army in the countrys public life would curb its own ability to shape Egypts future.Liberals are concerned by the prospect of a military role in public life because it would run counter to their hopes of having a country governed in full by civilian rulers.