Popular Current Chief Hamdeen Sabbahi said that he is running in upcoming presidential elections for the same reasons as the previous elections, namely to resume the revolution.
During a talk show aired on the privately-owned Al-Hayah TV channel on Saturday, Sabbahi said, “A wide range of youth considered me able to achieve the revolution demands. I believe myself to be the candidate of the people.”
“The police are practicing [questionable policies] against some of the youth. The state is not providing justice for some of the youth. There are many youth kept inside prisons due to their political views and they are not Muslim Brotherhood,” Sabbahi said.
Sabbahi expressed his respect for Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, saying he will always respect him and his role in taking the side of the people’s will after the 30 June revolution.
He also spoke of the violence allegedly committed by the Muslim Brotherhood saying, “Those among the Brotherhood who want to commit violence should know that there is a drawn sword that will cut its hand.”
He said that he would not hesitate in dealing with any Brotherhood member committing violence but added that he would not penalize the Brotherhood collectively.
“I do not want the votes of those who consider the 25 January [revolution] as a setback and the 30 June as a coup,” he added.
Sabbahi also welcomed debates and called on Sisi to debate him.
He indicated that his electoral platform does not include entering a battle outside the borders of Egypt that would cause him to lose sight of his battle within Egypt's borders to eradicate poverty.
Sabbahi expected that he would grab more than 50 percent of the votes.
He added that he does not seek the support of the Muslim Brotherhood, denying communication with the group as well as pressures on him to run or not to run for presidency.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
