DHAKA: Former Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Shafiq says he will back army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for president in an election expected next year, adding to speculation that the man who led the overthrow of president Mohamed Mursi could become head of state.

Shafiq, a former air force commander who came second in last year’s presidential election, said he would not run if Sisi did, reports The Jerusalem Post.

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 has 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.’

BDST: 1654 HRS, SEPT 09, 2013
RoR/Jck