Conflicting statements come from the Brotherhood, as leading member Gamal Heshmat refutes backing Saad El-Katatni in presidential race, whilst former spokesperson claimed Tuesday they may consider expelled member Abul-Fotouh
Dr. Gamal Heshmat, member of the Muslim Brotherhood's consultative Shura Council, denied on Wednesday that the Brotherhood will be backing their member and parliamentary speaker Saad El-Katatni in the presidential race.
Heshmat stated that the Brotherhood's Shura Council's Tuesday meeting did not consider any names for the presidential elections and instead discussed whether to officially back a candidate or not. The meeting was postponed to Thursday due to lack of consensus.
Meanwhile, former Brotherhood spokesperson Mohamed Mahdi Akef stated, during a televised interview on the CBC satellite channel Tuesday evening, that the Brotherhood might consider changing their stand regarding backing former member Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh. However, he added that this issue would be discussed in their next Shura meeting.
Akef's statements conflicted with pronouncements repeatedly made by Brotherhood members, including from General Guide Mohamed Badie, that the Brotherhood would not back Abul-Fotouh because he violated the organisation's rules. Abul-Fotouh was expelled from the Brotherhood late last year for choosing to nominate himself as president despite the organisation's decision not to file a candidate.
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