Former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq is seriously considering running for president and will make a final decision soon, he said. Shafiq told Al-Masry Al-Youm that running for president is a national responsibility. “The presidency is not a source of social prestige and shouldering the burdens of the nation requires competence, ability, seriousness, a correct strategic vision, and caution,” he said. This critical position requires careful calculation of political variables, he added. “I waited for a candidate with genuine charisma for a president, as well competence, ability and determination, to appear, but none has so far appeared in my point of view. That is why I have decided to consider running for the presidency, but I have not made up my mind yet.” Shafiq added that he would immediately withdraw from the presidential race if he sees a better candidate. Shafiq called on political players to renew their confidence in the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and to cooperate with it in this critical interim period. “The SCAF is serious about power handover and is seeking to achieve the goals of the revolution. The SCAF stands at an equal distance from all political and religious powers,” he said. He called for opposition powers to focus on the interests of the nation and brush aside their narrow interests. Shafiq denied reports that he has received the support of Abdel Hadi el-Qasabi, the current sheikh of the Supreme Sufi Council, for his presidential bid, adding that he has not even met him. He further added that has not given any statements to the press since his government resigned a few months ago. He also denied claims that foreign experts are helping him put together an election platform. “Even if I run for the presidency, I will not have a written platform. I believe in practical work which provides specific solutions to specific problems.” In a failed attempt to quell the anti-government protests, Hosni Mubarak appointed Ahmed Shafiq prime minister shortly after widescale protests erupted in Egypt on 25 January. After Mubarak stepped down on 11 February and the SCAF took control of the country, Shafiq remained in office but soon resigned under pressure from protesters in Tahrir Square, who saw him as a top figure of Mubarak's regime. Translated from the Arabic Edition
