CAIRO: Egypt has turned down a request by political activists seeking to set up a party that would advocate moderate Islam.

The government says the proposed party s program doesn t comply with Egyptian laws, which ban parties based on religious affiliation.

The statement was carried Monday by the state-owned MENA news agency.

Attempts to form the Islamist Al-Wasat Al Jadeed have been foiled twice before. The government rejected similar requests in 1996 and 1998, on the same grounds.

Authorities seem to fear the party would be a front for the banned Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt largest Islamic opposition group.

Critics say the rejection shows the government is not serious about political reform. -AP