Egypt's major opposition group to run in the parliamentary polls

The Muslim Brotherhood, the officially-banned largest opposition bloc in Egypt, announced on Saturday it would participate in the country's parliamentary elections slated for November.

The decision was based on the consultation with various members nationwide and in coordination with other opposition political forces, according to the group.

"When we decided to participate in these elections, we wanted to elevate positivity in society, to emphasize the necessity of the people's participation in their constitutional and legal rights," the group's general guide Mohamed Badie told a press conference. Compared with various opposition parties such as Al-Wafd, Al- Karamah, Al-Tagamm and the Nasserites, the Muslim Brotherhood is widely considered as the major opposition group against the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). The group occupies 88 seats, out of 454, in the People's Assembly, or the Lower House of the Egyptian Parliament.

The NDP began on Saturday an internal selection of its own candidates for the polls across the country. Seven opposition parties in the country also announced on Saturday they would run for the election.