(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) said in a statement on Saturday that the party members had picked al-Shater to run in the country's first presidential elections since a popular revolution toppled former dictator Hosni Mubarak last year.
Al-Shater, a professor of engineering and a successful businessman, released a statement confirming his nomination to stand as Muslim Brotherhood candidate in the race, due to be held on May 23 and 24.
"After it was decided to field my name in the presidential elections, I can only accept the decision of the Brotherhood. I will therefore resign from my position as deputy chairman," Shater's statement said.
The Muslim Brotherhood, which holds almost half the seats in the North African state’s parliament, had previously said it would not field a member for the elections.
Mahmud Hussein, the Brotherhood's secretary general, said that Shater's nomination was not an about turn but a necessary measure given the new developments in the country.
"There is a real threat to the revolution and to the democratic process," Hussein said.
The group’s decision to run a candidate is likely to escalate a stand-off with the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which assumed power when Mubarak was ousted in February, 2011.
The party accused the SCAF of supporting a dysfunctional cabinet which failed to resolve the nation’s crises.
Al- Shater, 61, will face competition from former Arab League chief Amr Mussa, former Brotherhood member Abdelmoneim Abul Futuh and Hazem Abu Ismail.
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