Surprise! OK, maybe not…

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Islamic militants took to the Internet to call on Muslims to unite behind Egyptian protesters and not to “waste the chance” to topple President Hosni Mubarak and claim power in the North African nation.

Some extremist websites urged Muslims to rally after Friday prayers and to back the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood, which is the largest opposition group in Egypt.

“On Friday, huge crowds should emerge from mosques and the Islamists should unite and work together with other parties and leaders of the protests,” said a statement posted on Muslim.Net, a website associated with al-Qaida.

The Muslim Brotherhood, which is officially banned and calls for rule by Islamic law in Egypt, has joined the protesters in calling for Mubarak’s ouster.

The group has been reluctant to present itself overtly as a driving force in the protests. But some fear it could threaten U.S. interests on issues ranging from Arab-Israeli peace efforts to counterterrorism if it gains power.

While the Brotherhood claims to have closed its paramilitary wing long ago, it has fought politically to gain power. It has also built a nationwide charity and social network that much of Egypt’s population depends on for survival because of widespread poverty and problems with basic services — complaints at the center of the uprising.

“We call upon the Islamists to support the Muslim Brotherhood because it is the most organized group to lead the Islamic movement and to take power,” the statement posted by a commentator on the Muslim.net website said.