Egypt's military-backed interim government today declared the Muslim Brotherhood movement, to which ousted president Mohammed Morsi belongs, a "terrorist" group and banned all its activities, including protests.
"The Cabinet has declared the Muslim Brotherhood group and its organisation as a terrorist organisation," Hossam Eissa, the Minister of Higher Education said, reading out a statement after a long meeting of the Cabinet.
The implications of the declaration were that those who belong to the group, finance it or promote its activities would face punishment, he said.
Social solidarity minister Ahmed al-Borei said the government would ban all activities of the Brotherhood, including protests.
The move comes a day after the bombing of a police station that killed 15 people. Ansar Beit al-Makdis, an armed group active in the Sinai peninsula, claimed the bombing.
This escalation gives the authorities more power to crack down on the Brotherhood.
Prime Minister Hazem El Beblawi had yesterday declared Muslim Brotherhood a "terrorist organisation".
"Prime Minister Beblawi has declared the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation," state-run news agency MENA quoted the premier's spokesperson as saying.
The condemnation of the Muslim Brotherhood - considered the largest and best-organised political force in Egypt - came weeks ahead of a referendum on a new constitution that is described as a major step toward restoring democracy since the military removed President Morsi in July.
An Egyptian court has already outlawed the activities of the Brotherhood. The military-backed interim authorities have often accused the Islamist movement of funding militants.
Since the ouster of Muslim Brotherhood leader Morsi - the country's first freely elected president - his supporters have staged rallies demanding his reinstatement. Over 2,000 Brotherhood members have been arrested, including the movement's supreme guide Mohamed Badie.
