"We have no interest whatsoever in entering into a violent confrontation with the state," Hodeiby told AFP in a rare interview with a western media organisation after his election last November as head of the largest opposition group in Egypt.

Although Mubarak's secular regime is a key US Arab ally, it is also opposed to war, and a confrontation would ruin the Brotherhood's efforts to become a legal political party, without giving much help to Iraq in its fight against the US-led invasion launched March 20, argued Hodeiby.

"We are united in opposing war and such a confrontation would not be either in our interest, nor the interest of the government, not even Iraq's interest."

The Brotherhood acts "in the framework of the authorised limits" while seeking greater political freedom, added Hodeiby.

He stressed that Muslims should "fight" the US-led invasion, but explained that calls issued by religious leaders for "jihad" could be fulfilled in different ways, depending on the situation, not only by taking up arms.

"Jihad begins with speech and its ultimate degree is military combat. One can engage in jihad by giving money and sending medical aid and food to Iraq."

Volunteering to go fight the US-led coalition in Iraq is a "symbolic act that gives moral support" to the Iraqis, but it would not have a real effect on the battle, he said.

While appearing keen to tone down differences with the Egyptian regime, Hodeiby voiced vehement hostility to the United States, unlike Mubarak who has blamed the war on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

"This war is an unfair aggression, it is carried out by an armed gang that seeks to control the Middle East and its wealth," said Hodeiby, accusing Washington of "bringing the world back to the law of the jungle."

He also charged the United States with "seeking to remodel the Middle East in a shape that would suit Israel's security and US interests."

Both Cairo's authorities and the Egyptian branch of the brotherhood have shown restraint on the ground since the war started on March 20.

The Islamist group has said it would abide by government orders to demonstrate only when permitted, a decision announced after violent clashes in Cairo on the day after war broke out.

"We are opposed to chaos, to acts of vandalism and to slogans against the government," said Hodeiby who also showed a high degree of understanding for the Arab governments incapacity to oppose the war in Iraq.

For example, he criticised those who are calling for the government in Cairo to close the Suez Canal to US-led coalition ships, arguing that this would contravene international treaties and "turn the entire world against us."

The Brotherhood, founded in 1928 by the Egyptian Hassan al-Banna, has branches in most Muslim states and in Europe, and is considered the largest Sunni Muslim political organisation worldwide.

Hodeiby, 83, is the spiritual guide of the whole organisation although its national branches have autonomy inside each country.

The group is legal in some countries, like Jordan, repressed in others, like Syria, and banned but tolerated in Egypt. In the Palestinian territories, it gave birth to the radical Hamas group.

Hodeiby represents the movement's traditional wing, as opposed to a younger generation around 50 years old, who are more moderate and open toward other Egyptian political forces.

The Brotherhood now advocates the creation of an Islamic state through peaceful means. It is the main opposition force in Egypt, standing behind 16 deputies in the 454-member parliament, who were elected in November 2000 as independents because of the official ban on its activities.

SPACE.WIRE