Syria Muslim Brotherhood Denies Seeking Power Grab

BEIRUT (AP) – The leader of Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood has denied accusations the group is seeking to impose its will on other members of the opposition.

Mohamamad Riad al-Shaqfa says allegations from other pro-rebel political factions that the Syrian National Coalition opposition umbrella group is a front for the Muslim Brotherhood are “lies and fabrications.”

Al-Shaqfa was speaking Monday at a rare press conference in Istanbul where he is based.

He says the Muslim Brotherhood does not seek gains for itself nor is it looking to grab power should President Bashar Assad’s regime fall.

Several other factions of Syria’s opposition regularly accuse the Islamist group of trying to control and influence the course of the uprising.