Egypt's largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, said Tuesday it will apply for formal recognition as a political party when a new government lifts restictions on religion- based parties, DPA reported.
The group stopped short of giving a time frame, saying on its website it would "apply to become a party when the time is right."
Under president Hosny Mubarak, who stepped down on Friday after nearly 30 years in power, the Muslim Brotherhood was banned from politics, although it was allowed to field candidates as independents in parliamentary elections.
Spokesman Essam al-Erian said in a statement that the group envisions "the establishment of a democratic, civil state that draws on universal measures of freedom and justice, with central Islamic values serving all Egyptians."
Meanwhile, a group of youth activists behind the January 25 protests that lead to the ouster of Mubarak were set to meet to discuss 50,000 membership requests, according to the online edition of the newspaper al-Ahram.
The group, which calls itself the January 25th Party, has more than 270,000 Facebook followers, mostly young Egyptians. The party said it would announce its platform at a press conference on March 3.
The Egyptian Coptic Church, which represents most of the estimated 20 per cent Christian minority, said it supported the army's statement that it would dissolve parliament and hold new elections within six months.
But protesters continue their calls for the army to oust Mubarak's appointed cabinet of ministers. Al-Masry al-Youm newspaper reported on its website that a new cabinet would to be announced in the coming days.
The report quoted government sources who said that Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq might retain his post, but that a number of ministers would be ousted.
The current cabinet was appointed by Mubarak on January 31 in a bid to quell the protests demanding his resignation.
Shafiq was commissioned by the Egyptian army, which has been in charge since Mubarak resigned on Friday, to lead the cabinet until fresh elections are held.
Egypt's central bank announced that all banks would remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday, according to state television.
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