Presidential contender and former Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi began the first day of campaigning Saturday by meeting a delegation of Egyptian media personnel.
Sisi warned against division and fragmentation in the country.
“The division and fragmentation started more than 40 years ago with the emergence of private clergymen who were not part of state institutions,” he said.
“If the country falls down, it will not rise again,” Sisi added.
Sisi said that all political currents in Egypt believe only they are right, Aswat Masriya correspondent reported.
He asserted that his decision to run for president was in response to the Egyptian people's request.
"Defending the people's will is defending the national will."
“Responsibility is what drove me to respond to the people's demand and nominate myself,” he stated.
He also stressed the need for maintaining communication between the presidency, state institutions, and the media.
Saturday marks the start of electoral campaigning after the Presidential Election Commission officially announced Sabahi and Sisi the two contenders of the presidential race.
Electoral campaigning will continue until 23 May. It will be followed by two days of electoral silence after which the elections will be held.
Sisi has not announced his electoral platform yet, but he will be interviewed on Monday by Lamis al-Hadidi and Ibrahim Eissa on CBC and ON TV channels.
Source/Fuente: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=65736
