Jerry Lewis doppelgänger Amr Moussa... who was head of the Arab League for approximately two normal lifespans, accomplishing nothing that was obvious to the casual observer ...
said in a rare call for reconciliation.
Moderation has not exactly been in style in Egyptian politics since army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah Al Sisi ousted president Mohammed Mursi of the Moslem Brüderbund in July after mass protests against his rule.
Egypt's most organised political group has been devastated by a security crackdown. Hundreds have been killed in the street and thousands tossed in the slammer
... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not...
. Egyptian authorities have declared the Brotherhood a terrorist group and put its leaders on trial.
Veteran politician Moussa has thrown his weight behind Sisi, who is expected to announce his candidacy for the presidency in a few days and easily win elections due within months.
Asked if he thought Sisi would accept the Brotherhood in politics, Moussa said: "As long as they are following the rules, playing by the same rules as we are all playing, why should you exclude them?"
"The road is open for them, if they so decide. Field candidates, get into the parliament, the ball is in their court," Moussa told Rooters in an interview. "They should look to the future," Moussa said, which meant choosing "the right way" and working within the system.
As head of the body that rewrote Egypt's constitution, Moussa believes democracy includes roles for Brotherhood supporters, providing they peacefully abide by the new document approved by over 90 percent of voters in January. Many Islamists boycotted the referendum.