Salafists, Brotherhood discuss presidential candidate

Khairat al-Shater Cairo – Akram Ali Sources who wish to remain anonymous have told Arabstoday that a Salafist delegation visited the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) headquarters in Mokattam, Cairo, on Wednesday to agree on a mutually-backed presidential candidate.
The sources, who attended the meeting, said that the delegation proposed Khairat al-Shater, the MB's deputy chairman as a candidate. "The delegation informed the MB that in case al-Shater runs for the presidency, he will be supported by the entire leadership of the Salafist movement, the Religious Authority for Rights and Reform, and the Religious Society."
Sources said that the meeting did not reach a final decision, adding that al-Shater was still unwilling to run, however, if the MB decided to nominate him, he should adhere to its decision.
The MB's political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), is to conduct a meeting on Thursday evening to discuss the party’s position on the presidential elections before the meeting of the supreme executive authority of the party that will be held on Friday morning.
The FJP issued a statement on Wednesday explaining its view on the current situation, saying: “Egypt still suffers from economic and political crises due to the poor performance of the government that insists on acting against the desire of the Egyptian people, who aspire for security, economic and social stability."
The party renewed its rejection of the continuation of the current government in power. It said: “The government has not provided what may convince the people and the parliament to support its continuation in its role, especially after its failure to solve the gasoline and diesel problems, in addition to the high prices of goods.”
The FJP confirmed that it had no reservations in dealing with the IMF, the World Bank and any other international institution, and that it was keen that Egypt take advantage of these institutions in a way that benefitted the Egyptian economy and development plans. However, that did not mean that the party was taking a final decision regarding the loan requested by the government.