New Splinters Form in Egypt's MuslimBrotherhood

A senior member of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood says he is forming a new political party as the Islamic fundamentalist group rapidly splinters.

Last week, several young members broke off and launched a rival to the Brotherhood's main Freedom and Justice Party.

Khaled Dawoud, a senior Brotherhood figure, said Sunday he and other members are forming a separate party to be called al-Riyada, Arabic for The Pioneers. He risks forfeiting Brotherhood membership as the group has banned members from forming separate parties.

The Brotherhood was the most powerful and organized opposition party before President Hosni Mubarak was ousted Feb. 11 in a popular uprising. It had been expected to win big in parliamentary elections set for September.