Former Egyptian PM Backs Army’s Sisi for Presidency

Local Editor

Former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq announced Monday he will back army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for president in an election expected next year.

Shafiq, a former air force commander who came second in last year's presidential election, said he would not run if Sisi did.
The comment suggests why, just months before the election, there are no declared candidates as politicians wait to see if Sisi is going to run before announcing their own intentions.

Sisi said he does not seek authority though speculation he will run has mounted since he toppled the Muslim Brotherhood's Mursi from the presidency on July 3. Sisi is widely expected to win if he runs.

In an interview with Dream 2 television station, Shafiq said he would run for president if he had broad support but he would not contest an election if Sisi did.
"May God give him good fortune. We would all support him and I am the first one to support him," said Shafiq, who came second to Mursi in the presidential election in 2012. "If Sisi is nominated I will not run."

Shafiq was one of an array of candidates who ran in last year's election, the first time Egyptians freely choose their head of state. The vote was preceded by months of frenzied campaigning, in stark contrast to now.

Even if Sisi does not run, analysts say the military will remain at the heart of power, curbing the influence of the next head of state.
Hamdeen Sabahi, a leftist politician who came third in the 2012 election, has also said Sisi would win, while sidestepping questions on his own intentions.
Former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, who came fifth in the election, is also seen as a possible contender.

Source: News agencies, Edited by website team