Egypt: Ghonim publicly endorses al-Fatuah

Wael Ghonim, one of Egyptian revolution's most recognizable symbols, expresses support for independent Islamist candidate Abd el-Munam Abu al-Fatuah's presidential bid

Roi Kais, Elior Levy|Published: 05.01.12 , 07:58

Abd el-Munam Abu al-Fatuah, the independent candidate in Egypt's nearing presidential elections gained some significant support Monday as Wael Ghonim – one of the Egyptian revolution's most prominent symbols, endorsed him.

Ghonim, an Egypt-based Google employee, is credited with playing a key part in that began as a social media protest and culminated in the end of President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.

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He officially endorsed al-Fatuah on his Twitter account.

"Since the beginning of the presidential race al-Fatuah has been able to overcome disagreements in search of consensus and unity for the homeland.

"He has also managed to stir clear from all the battles concerning ideological polarization, which is light-years away from the Egyptians' hopes and pain," he wrote.

Ghonim added that the wide support al-Fatuah has been able to garner stems from the fact that "he will be the next president of Egypt and he will unite the people, not divide them."

The radical Salafi group al-Gama'a al-Islamiya, which won 13 parliament seats in the last elections, has also endorsed al-Fatuah's presidential bid.

Al-Fatuah, who is a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, was also endorsed by the Salafi a-Nour Party over the weakened.

A-Nour is Egypt's second largest political party and the move dealt a political blow to the Muslim Brotherhood.

A party official said that a-Nour's endorsement "came following concerns that the Muslim Brotherhood will become in charge of all state affairs. Al-Fatuah, which was ousted from the Muslim Brotherhood, is seen as the best person to rule Egypt next."

Recent polls say al-Fatuah currently has 27.3% of the votes, while former Mubarak-era strongman Amr Moussa has 41.1% of the votes.

Meanwhile, top Hamas Politburo delegate in Gaza Mahmoud al-Zahar told the BBC in Arabic that he has managed to get an Egyptian citizenship and that he will exercise his right to vote in the elections.