After maintaining a low profile in protests led largely by secular young Egyptians, the Muslim Brotherhood, the country\u2019s largest opposition force, appeared to be taking a more assertive role Thursday, issuing a statement asking for President Hosni Mubarak to step aside for a transitional government.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe demand that this regime is overthrown, and we demand the formation of a national unity government for all the factions,\u201d\u009d the Brotherhood said in a statement broadcast by Al Jazeera.<\/p>\n
The Obama administration has spoken cautiously about the future role of the Brotherhood, which has long been banned by Mr. Mubarak\u2019s government, saying only that all parties must renounce violence and accept democracy. But one of the few near-certainties of a post-Mubarak Egypt is that the Muslim Brotherhood will emerge as a powerful political force.<\/p>\n