Presidential hopeful Ahmed Shafiq has said that if elected president he would work to develop deep and strategic relations with all countries, with priority given to Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia. He emphasized Egypt could cut relations with Iran if it comes at the expense of Saudi relations.
Iran and Egypt severed ties in 1980 after the Islamic revolution in Iran and the normalization of relations between Egypt and Israel. Both nations have long vied for power in the Middle East.
Egypt has been allied with the US and Israel for decades, but relations between Cairo and Tehran have warmed since the resignation of Hosni Mubarak.
Shafiq, who served as civil aviation minister and prime minister under Mubarak, said he intends to appoint six aides to help him supervise the implementation of his platform for comprehensive development, which he said would benefit four generations.
Shafiq told the Saudi paper Al-Watan on Wednesday that Egypt is committed to all treaties, including the Camp David Accords signed with Israel.
“I will work to reformulate some of the articles of the peace treaty with Israel, particularly those concerning Sinai, since there is an article of the treaty that allows the introduction of amendments to any of its articles,” the candidate said.
Shafiq added that he would build a country with a strong economy, army and policy.
Edited translation from MENA
