Cairo: Egypt has barred formation of a new
political party by an Islamist group that was once involved in
a bloody insurgency against the government.
Egypt`s state news agency said the Political Parties`
Affairs Committee rejected today the request by al-Gamaa
al-Islamiyya because its proposed party is based on "religious
grounds in violation of the law".
It was also rejected because it advocates a strict
interpretation of Islamic law, under which thieves can be
punished by cutting off their hands and murderers can face
beheading.
Al-Gamaa al-Islamiyya, once Egypt`s largest militant
group, waged an insurrection against the government in the
1990s, but have since renounced violence.
Bureau Report