Presidential hopefuls Amr Moussa and Ahmed Shafiq on Wednesday exchanged accusations of allegiance to the regime of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
During a seminar held at the Adl Party headquarters on Tuesday evening, Moussa said, “The last prime minister of the former regime should not be the first post-revolution president of Egypt,” in an obvious reference to Shafiq, a former minister under Mubarak.
Moussa — also a former minister under Mubarak — said Egypt needs a real and radical change that stems from the revolution’s goals because the 25 January revolution gave Egypt a new image that must be preserved.
Moussa went on to say that if he wins, his mission would be to rebuild the country in a way that would lead to legislative, economic and security changes through a number of quick and decisive measures and the revision of many laws.
The candidate said he was considering the idea of forming a presidential team representing civilians to deliver a message that leadership will be a collective process. He then pointed out that Egypt needs an independent president and that certain candidates will be forced to lead Egypt in the direction of their own belief system.
During the seminar, a number of Adl Party youth criticized Moussa by raising banners with the slogan “No to the remnants.” On seeing the banners, Moussa said, “I read the banner … now please sit down so I can finish speaking.”
Shafiq launched a similar attack against Moussa.
“Do not forget my friend Amr, that you were one of Mubarak’s supporters for the extension of his presidential term in 2011,” he said in a statement published in state-run Al-Ahram newspaper.
“I would like to remind him that he was secretary general of the League of Arab States for two terms by choice of former President Hosni Mubarak,” said Shafiq. “Everyone knows he hoped to be nominated by Mubarak to serve in the same position for a third term.”
Shafiq, who served as civil aviation minister, went on to say, “Moussa also clearly said he supported the candidacy of the former president for a new term when he announced his candidacy in the 2011 elections.”
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
