Muslim Brotherhood joins talks on Egypt’s new government

The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood joined talks Sunday with Egyptian officials in efforts to calm days of street protests and negotiate the possibility of a transitional government to run the country until September elections.

The Brotherhood’s participation in resolving the crisis around President Hosni Mubarak is another dramatic sign in recent days that Egypt is on new political terrain. The government for years has labeled the popular Brotherhood a terrorist organization, closing its offices and arresting thousands of its members.

Talks among opposition parties, the military and Vice President Omar Suleiman unfolded as tens of thousands of protesters streamed into Tahrir Square amid a heavy army presence. Protesters and opposition groups, including the Brotherhood, have said demonstrations won’t stop until Mubarak steps down or is removed from office.

According to the Associated Press, the Brotherhood said in a statement that its representatives would meet with Suleiman to press its “legitimate and just demands.” Suleiman has accused the Brotherhood, businessmen and foreigners he has not identified as being behind a wave of looting and arson that swept much of the country last weekend after security forces inexplicably withdrew from the streets.

Silent footage on state TV showed senior Brotherhood leader Mohammed Mursi seated at a large conference table along with opposition leaders and public figures. Suleiman was shown seated at the head of the table, the AP reported.

In Munich, Germany, on Sunday, the AP reported that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the Obama administration would withhold judgment on the Brotherhood’s decision to enter a dialogue with Mubarak’s regime.