CAIRO - Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said Monday that it will not allow any extremist group to take control of the country.

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In a meeting between the council and editors-in-chief of state newspapers and MENA news agency, Deputy Defense Minister Mohamed el-Molla said none of the extremists abroad will be allowed to come to Egypt and all measures have been taken to prevent their return, MENA said.

He underlined the role of Al Azhar in confronting extremist ideas and said Egypt would be a democratic and contemporary state ruled by a civil authority.

He also said former President Hosni Mubarak had not been forced by the army to leave.

Member of the council Mohamed Assar said the armed forces did not and will not seek to rule the country.

He reiterated that the parliamentary elections will be in September to give political parties much time to prepare their agendas and get support from people.

The armed forces took over the power after Mubarak resigned on February 11.