CAIRO: Egypt presidential hopeful and Secretary-General of the Arab Doctors Union Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh rejected being labeled an Islamist presidential candidate and also rejected the position of the Muslim Brotherhood towards his candidacy, as it dismissed him from the group and the Supreme Guide has declared that the Brotherhood would not support Aboul Fotouh, so as not to provoke the West. He considered these excuses “useless after the revolution,” stressing that “only Egyptians can determine who is going to be Egypt`s next president.” He said during an interview with Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that the constitution will be formed on the basis of “freedom, justice and true citizenship,” adding that “despite the confusion that marred the military junta's administration of the transition period … [Aboul Fotouh] rejects any offenses against the military.” The former top leader of the Muslim Brotherhood warned from prolonging the transitional period, and said that “this would lead to a collapse of the economy, and a revolution of the hungry, and subject the country to serious security defects.” He said he was not surprised by the dominantion of Islamists with over 70 percent of the parliamentary seats, stressing that this percentage “will be reduced in the next election,” and considered that the Salafist engagement in politics and parliament is a “political gain for Egypt, because this will make them more moderate and pragmatic and respectful to the reality of Egypt,” saying that “exclusion leads to the rise of extremism.” Although Aboul Fotouh had been an enthusiastic member of the Brotherhood, and had once encouraged its engagement in politics and unions or parliament, he rejected the engagement of the group in politics and the formation of its Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), pointing out that the group is “still continuing its religious advocacy and propaganda and services, and does not engage itself in partisan life.” ”It is better for Egypt`s interest and religion, that the Muslim Brotherhood refrain from partisan activity, and do not found a political party,” he added in his statements to the London-based newspaper. He said that after the revolution, he called on the Muslim Brotherhood to distance the FJP away from the work of the overall group, and to not make it a political arm. Aboul Fotouh said he advised the members of the group to not outline the party`s policies or give instructions. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/VH5mA Tags: Aboul Fotouh, Brotherhood, featured, Politics Section: Egypt, Latest News
