Former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik, who served under Hosni Mubarak, revealed that he may contest the presidential elections while speaking in an interview on Thursday.
"I believe now I will run for the presidency," Shafik told Al Qahira Wil Nas television. However, he added that he would only compete if Army Chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi did not contest the elections, which will take place next year.
He had stated in an interview earlier in September that Army Chief al-Sisi had his full support, should he decide to contest the elections.
Shafik had left Egypt after a narrow loss to Muslim Brotherhood politician Mohamed Mursi in last year’s elections. However, Mursi has was later ousted by the army and put on trial for conspiracy and inciting violence. Egyptian courts acquitted him in a corruption case last month, with another case pending.
Shafik’s return would reflect a shift in the balance of power in Egypt, working alongside the removal of Mursi to set Egypt on the course toward presidential and parliamentary elections.
The next significant step is to be a referendum on a new constitution on January 14-15.
Shafik made a statement from the United Arab Emirates claiming that he may return to Cairo to cast his vote in the referendum.
Sisi has yet to announce if he will run. While he has the wide support of Egyptians who rejoice at Mursi's removal, he is reviled by the ousted president's supporters.
Dates for presidential and parliamentary elections have yet to be set.
Meanwhile, Egyptian security forces have begun to take action against the Muslim Brotherhood, arresting their top leaders and killing hundreds of their members.
Acting on the widespread dislike towards the Brotherhood, Shafik called for maximum force to be employed in dealing with the group.
Islamist militant groups have stepped up bombing and shooting attacks on Egyptian security forces since Mursi's overthrow, raising fears of prolonged instability in the biggest Arab state.
