US confirms that Brotherhood is not a designated terrorist organisation

The United States government has confirmed that the Muslim Brotherhood has not been designated as a “terrorist organisation” by the state department.

Spokeswoman Marie Harf was referred to a statement on the movement’s official website apparently calling for jihad. When asked if it would change the way that the US is dealing with the Islamic movement she pointed out that surfing the Brotherhood’s website “is not usually part of [her] morning reading [but] we engage with a variety of parties in Egypt… The Muslim Brotherhood is not designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States.”

She noted that she was updated about the issue and said: “I think it was attributed to the Revolutionary Punishment Group. And the message contained in the video is certainly disturbing in light of last week’s attacks in the Sinai.”

The government, Harf added, is seeking more information about the jihad statement. “We would condemn any call for violence, and do not have more to say than that.”