Amr Moussa to bid for Egyptian presidency

CAIRO, March 1 (UPI) -- Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa announced Tuesday he was running for president of Egypt in elections scheduled for this year.

Hosni Mubarak resigned Feb. 11 as president of Egypt after nearly three weeks of anti-government protests put pressure on his regime.

Moussa, a career Egyptian diplomat and former minister of foreign affairs, said he was working on his campaign platform, which he said would be inclusive in the post-Mubarak political environment.

"In the new era, the door is open for everyone to participate," he told Egyptian daily newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm. "And that new era begins with empowerment and opening the door to genuine competition."

The military leaders in Cairo promised to reform the country's political system and prepare for national elections this year.

Legal authorities in Egypt suggested to the newspaper that the new government could be a parliamentary system that diminishes the power of the president. Moussa said he didn't back that idea but felt any future president should serve for one term only.

Mubarak took office in 1981 following the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

Moussa added that it was time for a political sea change in Cairo.

"I am ready to nominate myself for the presidency," he said. "I see this as a duty and responsibility."