.- Amr Moussa, secretary general of the Arab League and a popular career diplomat, said he plans to compete in Egypt's presidential election scheduled for later this year. Moussa, a former foreign minister, announced his candidacy a day after a panel appointed by the military junta that rules the country recommended extensive constitutional reforms that gave more flexibility to the rules that determine who can compete for the presidency.
The changes, if adopted in a national referendum, would open the most competitive presidential elections and impose a two-term limit for future presidents, a radical change to the system that allowed the expelled leader Hosni Mubarak to maintain power for three decades. Moussa told reporters that amendments are still under discussion, but that any Egyptian can now run for president.
"God willing, I will be one of them," he said. Asked whether he would run as an independent or join any party, Moussa replied: "That is a detail which I will later." Moussa enjoys wide popularity in Egypt, largely due to his scathing criticism of Israel, a country which most Egyptians see an enemy despite a 1979 peace treaty between the two neighbors.
As Foreign Minister, Moussa had gained many followers among the Egyptians that their nomination by the Arab League was seen as an attempt to marginalize Mubarak before posed a political threat. During the rebellion of 18 days for democracy that forced Mubarak to resign as president on February 11, Moussa visited Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, the heart of the protests.
His visit was widely seen as a test of his popularity. His motorcade was greeted with chants stated: "We love President cone, cone we love you president!". Before becoming secretary general of the Arab League in 2001, Moussa was Foreign Minister of Egypt for 10 years. The official, law degree, became involved in affairs early in his career as a member of the Egyptian delegation to the UN in 1972.
Led the delegation in 1982, a year after serving as head of the International Organization Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and again in 1990. In 1983 he was appointed ambassador to India. After that, Moussa returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was appointed minister in May 1991. 
The changes, if adopted in a national referendum, would open the most competitive presidential elections and impose a two-term limit for future presidents, a radical change to the system that allowed the expelled leader Hosni Mubarak to maintain power for three decades. Moussa told reporters that amendments are still under discussion, but that any Egyptian can now run for president.
"God willing, I will be one of them," he said. Asked whether he would run as an independent or join any party, Moussa replied: "That is a detail which I will later." Moussa enjoys wide popularity in Egypt, largely due to his scathing criticism of Israel, a country which most Egyptians see an enemy despite a 1979 peace treaty between the two neighbors.
As Foreign Minister, Moussa had gained many followers among the Egyptians that their nomination by the Arab League was seen as an attempt to marginalize Mubarak before posed a political threat. During the rebellion of 18 days for democracy that forced Mubarak to resign as president on February 11, Moussa visited Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, the heart of the protests.
His visit was widely seen as a test of his popularity. His motorcade was greeted with chants stated: "We love President cone, cone we love you president!". Before becoming secretary general of the Arab League in 2001, Moussa was Foreign Minister of Egypt for 10 years. The official, law degree, became involved in affairs early in his career as a member of the Egyptian delegation to the UN in 1972.
Led the delegation in 1982, a year after serving as head of the International Organization Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and again in 1990. In 1983 he was appointed ambassador to India. After that, Moussa returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was appointed minister in May 1991.
- Amr Moussa: I Have Not Decided (27/02/2011)
- No decision yet on Egyptian presidential run, Moussa says (27/02/2011)
- No decision yet on Egyptian presidential run, Moussa says - CNN International (27/02/2011)
- "Cairo - Anti Israel Arab League Boss Moussa To Run For Egypt President" and related posts (27/02/2011)
- Arab League chief Amr Moussa to quit post: report (11/02/2011)
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