Abul-Fotouh (Photo: Abul-Fotouh campaign)
The Liberal Islamist presidential candidate Abdel Moneim Abul-Fotouh announced on Monday evening his acceptance of the initiative by the moderate Islamist Al-Wasat Party whereby a number of current candidates would back a single 'pro-revolution' presidential contestant.
As an attempt to try and avoid splitting votes, Abul-Fotouh stated on his Twitter account, "I agree to the initiative presented by Al-Wasat Party... everyone should unite over a candidate in order to be able to continue the path of the revolution".
The meeting was held at the Al-Wasat Party headquarters in the Mokattam district of Cairo, and was attended by fellow presidential candidates including Mohamed Selim El-Awa, Abu-Ezz El-Hariri, Ayman Nour and Hisham El-Bastawisi.
A practicing physician with extensive experience in relief work on an international level, a prominent Islamist activist, and a former leading figure of the Muslim Brotherhood, Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh is also known for his liberal positions on social issues.
Abul-Fotouh announced in June 2011 that he intended to run for the highest office in Egypt.
Shortly after, he was expelled from the Brotherhood for violating a party decision not to field a candidate in the presidential elections..
Presidential elections will take place on 23 and 24 May, and the president will be named on 21 June after a runoff voting round on 16 and 17 June.
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