Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood Fields Presidential Candidate
By KUNA
The Muslim Brotherhood Saturday selected deputy chairman Khairat Al-Shater as their candidate for Presidential elections, due on May 23-24.
“We thought that out of responsibility we take another step which is running for presidency in this sensitive and critical moment … ,” Mohammad Morsi, chairman of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), the Brotherhood’s political wing, told a news conference.
He attributed selection of Al-Shater to accelerating developments in the country and that the party was ready to live up to consequences of its decision.
“We were serious in the past as not to run (for presidency) but what is happening domestically and at the external front made us consider the interest of the nation … our decision follows meetings and discussions,” said Morsi.
The Secretary General of the Muslim Brotherhood Dr. Mahmoud Hussein said there were no legal obstacles against the nomination of a candidate of the group.
Al-Shater resigned from his post as deputy chairman and of his membership in the Guidance Office. He, however, kept his membership in the Shura Council.
The Guidance Office is expected to approve Al-Shater’s nomination during its next meeting.
