Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood says it has decided to field the movement's deputy leader and top strategist as its presidential candidate.
The move tops off its success in legislative elections with a bid for the country's most powerful post.
Top leaders of the country's most influential political group announced in a Saturday press conference that it had selected Khairat al-Shater to contest the presidential race set to start in May.
The announcement reverses a pledge made by the group's leaders not to contest presidential elections to reassure liberals and other countries fearful of an Islamic takeover.
The move is also likely to alarm the country's military rulers, whose relationship with the Brotherhood has become increasingly confrontational in recent weeks.
