Egypt ? Egyptian security forces arrested the head of the Muslim Brotherhood’s political bureau and at least 15 other Brotherhood officials Friday, leaders of the group said. The arrests were part of a continuing government crackdown on the Brotherhood, Egypt’s largest opposition organization.

Essam al-Erian, who helps direct Brotherhood political activities in Egypt, was taken into custody at a meeting of Cairo-area officials of the group, said Abdel Monem Abo el-Fetouh, a member of the Brotherhood’s top-level guidance office. Mahmoud Hussein, another member of the guidance office, also was arrested, as were the group’s Cairo-area officials, Abo el-Fetouh said.

Egypt’s 79-year-old Muslim Brotherhood says it advocates an Islamically guided civil government for the country.