Presidential hopeful Ahmed Shafiq told the Saudi Al-Youm newspaper on Thursday that the Muslim Brotherhood going down to Tahrir Square gave power to the 25 January revolution.
“But had the armed forces not stood by it, it would have not succeeded,” he added.
Former President Hosni Mubarak appointed Shafiq as prime minister on 29 January 2011 in response to massive popular protests challenging his rule. Shafiq remained in office for three weeks following Mubarak's resignation. But with revolutionary protesters demanding the removal of all remnants of the Mubarak regime, he was sacked by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in a subsequent cabinet reshuffle.
It is widely believed that the Muslim Brotherhood’s endorsement would be a major boon to any presidential candidate, as its members succeeded in sweeping the majority of seats in Parliament.
On the status of the army under the new president, Shafiq said it would enjoy more privileges if the president is a civilian than if he is a military personality.
On him being viewed as part of the former regime, he said not all former officials should be punished. “I advise those who say so not to cross the line, or they will have to deal with me,” he said.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
