Washington criticizes detention of Muslim Brothers

The US has expressed its concern over the Egyptian authorities detention of members of the Muslim Brothers group. A measure coinciding with Cairo's readiness to carry out a referendum on an amendment proposed to the constitution concerning multi-candidate presidential elections.

The spokesman for the US Department Of State, Richard Boucher, said that despite his country's differences with the Muslim groups, it calls simultaneously for ensuring the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press and the right to peaceful assembly and legal activities.

On Sunday, the Egyptian authorities detained 25 members of the Muslim Brothers group including the secretary of the banned group Mahmoud Ezzat. Prior to the arresting of this group, hundreds of the supporters of the banned group were detained in the time prior to the referendum due to be held on Wednesday.

The group accuses the Egyptian authorities of wanting to silence the voices opposing the proposed constitutional and election reforms which the Muslim group says they are merely symbolic.

On the other hand, Laura Bush, wife of the American President George W. Bush who visits Cairo in a two day visit to Egypt commended the initiatives made by the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to change the system of choosing the President of the Republic, noting that political reforms should take place slowly.