Banned Islamic Group Chooses New Leader

Egypt’s banned Muslim Brotherhood group appointed a new leader, choosing a former member of parliament who spent 20 years in jail for belonging to the fundamentalist group.

Mohammed Mahdi Akef was elected Wednesday. The Muslim Brotherhood, once known for its violent tactics, seeks to turn Egypt into an Islamic state through peaceful means. Akef said his priority would be to persuade the government to allow the group to participate in elections as a political party.

The group has been banned since 1954 but has long been allowed to function, albeit with sporadic detentions and prosecutions of its members.