German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging Egypt's new rulers not to exclude the Muslim Brotherhood from the political process as they work on plans for the future.

In an interview with ARD television Sunday, Merkel reiterated Germany's call for the release of Mohammed Morsi, a Brotherhood leader who was ousted as Egypt's president by the military nearly two weeks ago. The U.S. has backed that call.

Merkel said Egypt should embark on an "inclusive process" that accommodates all groups. She added: "Others were excluded by the Muslim Brotherhood; the opposite must not happen now."

She insisted that everything must be done to find a "common path" forward.

Morsi's supporters have refused to accept his ouster or the military-backed timeline for transition, which calls for constitutional changes and new elections.