• 05:42
  • Sunday ,27 December 2009
العربية

Run for Egypt president impossible: Moussa

By-Egypt News

Home News

00:12

Sunday ,27 December 2009

Run for Egypt president impossible: Moussa
General Secretary of the Arab League, Amr Moussa reported running for president in Egypt's 2011 elections is a "difficult matter or even impossible."
 
According to Egypt's independent newspaper Masry al- Youm, Moussa said that "I see very many obstacles to nomination for this top post" 
 
"The question is, is it possible? And the answer is, the road is closed," he further went on to say.
 
The Arab League chief said that the current conditions did not allow him to join the fray as an independent candidate as his candidacy depended on joining one of the existing political parties and the endorsement of 250 elected representatives of the parliament and local councils.
 
"I can not join a party just because it would enable me to be nominated . . . it is against my principles and I consider this to be clear political opportunism," the outspoken politician remarked.
 
"As an independent [candidate], how can you get endorsement from 250 members? I am a practical man who does not need more fame by [being nominated] ... for presidency," he said.
 
The longest-serving ruler of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak who assumed presidency in 1981 has yet to announce his bid for presidency, as he is believed to be seeking the next tenure.
 
The 81-year-old incumbent president was elected amid allegations of fraud in 2005.
 
Former UN nuclear chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, has also announced his bid for the presidential election, saying he will run only if the elections are democratic and fair.
 

"Elections must be under the full supervision of the judiciary ... and in the presence of international observers from the United Nations to ensure transparency," ElBaradei has said.