Egypt's Nour Party has called on Islamist parties not to field candidates in the coming presidential elections and to instead focus on parliamentary polls.
The party, which represents the political arm of the Salafi Dawaa, is also looking to avoid any articles that politically isolate Islamists in the soon-to-be amended constitution.
The party also said its members are ready to contest all seats in Egypt's new parliament. Nour members will be looking to combat so-called smear campaigns launched by the Muslim Brotherhood against the party.
Yasser Borhamy, vice president of the Salafi Dawaa, said Nour Party is not considering running in coming presidential elections and added that the state does not need an Islamist candidate in the coming period.
Borahmy told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the party will support "a strong man who is able to take the country to stability."
He said the candidate the party will support must not be hostile to Islam or Sharia, denying claims that the party will support Mohamed Selim al-Awa, an Islamic thinker and former presidential candidate, or Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh, Strong Egypt Party chief and also a former presidential candidate.
The coming period does not need an Islamist candidate, but rather one who possesses the experience and has the approval of state institutions to help the country progress, the Nour vice chief said.
“The fact that the party is not fielding a presidential candidate provides proof that we are not seeking to replace the Brotherhood. Today we emphasize that we place the country's best interest above our private interests,” he claimed.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
