Former Prime Minister Egypt does not participate in election

The Egyptian former prime minister Ahmed Shafik (76) does not participate in the coming presidential election in his country.

'That is why I decided not to participate in the upcoming presidential election of 2018,' said Shafik, a former air force commander. He was considered a serious potential challenger for incumbent President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who, incidentally, has not yet stated whether he is a candidate.

Shafik narrowly lost the 2012 presidential election from Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, who was ousted by the military after large-scale protests. Former Prime Minister Shafik left for the United Arab Emirates after his election defeat. He returned to Egypt at the end of last year.