In his first interview with international media since winning the first round of presidential elections on 24 May, the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Mursi has said that he will keep Mubarak in prison "forever" if he wins the mid-June run-off against the ousted president's ex-premier Ahmed Shafiq. Mursi made the statement just a day before Cairo's criminal court is due to issue a verdict in Mubarak's trial. The presidential contender said that he and the Muslim Brotherhood are trying to gain the support of revolutionaries and liberals who feel cornered in having to choose between an Islamist and a candidate affiliated to Mubarak's regime. Mursi hailed the revolutionaries for ousting Mubarak in the January uprising and downplayed fears that the court may acquit the ex-president on Saturday. During the interview, Mursi gave open-ended answers when asked about his potential presidential policies towards Israel. Asked whether he would agree to meet with Israelis, Mursi replied that it all depended on "Israel's actions." "If Israel showed its commitment to border agreements and the Palestinian right of return, I will act in the same manner," Mursi said.
