AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Agencies
Tuesday

27 March 2012

6:22:00 AM
304731

Former spy chief of Egypt to run for president

Reports that Egypt’s former spy chief Omar Suleiman is planning to run for president in the country’s upcoming elections have outraged many Egyptians, Press TV reports.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - According to reports in several Egyptian newspapers on Monday, the ex-intelligence czar intends to officially register himself for the country’s first presidential elections since former ruler Hosni Mubarak was toppled in a popular revolution last year.

"I cannot refuse the call of the people, I don't want power but to prove my intention to serve the country for the rest of my life," Suleiman was quoted as saying by the state-owned daily newspaper Al-Akhbar.

The news has angered many Egyptians who are calling for the prosecution of Suleiman who also served as vice president for several days before Mubarak was forced out of power.

“Omar Suleiman is a murderer, and not only that, he stood in the way of Palestine’s liberation and exported gas to Israel. How come such a corrupt man can become Egypt’s president?” said a Cairo resident.

Sulieman is the third presidential candidate to be drawn from Egyptian General Intelligence after General Hossam Khairallah and Major General Mamdouh Qotub.

Registration for candidacy is open until April 8, with the first round of elections scheduled for May 23 and May 24.

/129