Suleiman: Brotherhood threatened to kill me

Former Vice President Omar Suleiman Cairo – Akram Ali Former Vice President Omar Suleiman said he had received murder threats following his bid to run for president in the forthcoming Egyptian presidential elections to be held at the end of May, beginning of June.   He accused the Muslim Brotherhood and the other Islamic groups of being behind these threats.
Suleiman in his first statement following his candidacy bid to al-Akhbar Egyptian newspaper on Monday,  denied that he was participating in the elections for the purpose of re-establishing Mubarak’s regime saying: I am running to fulfill the revolution's goals of freedom, justice and dignity."
He said he had “an ambitious programme of national salvation, security restoration, investment attraction, high economic growth rate achievement,” adding that his experience as a statesman during the last two decades would help achieve this.
He stressed that he would be a "sham president", adding that if the new constitution proved this.  he would resign immediately.
Suleiman emphasised that the Muslim Brotherhood have lost a great deal of their popularity because of their stance and actions, adding: "Egypt is for everyone, not for just one group which plans to take control over it.
In the interview with journalist Mustafa Bakri, he said that he had  initially turned down the opportunity to participate in the presidential elections. However, due to  increasing public pressure, and calls and messages from many respectable figures, he had no choice but to respond. He said: “I will not hesitate to make every effort and seek the help of other countries to achieve  a renaissance through the establishment of social justice principles, creation of large economic growth, and a speedy restoration of safety and security to maintain the Egyptian state entity.”
Concerning accusations that he was running for presidency in agreement with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), he said “SCAF had nothing to do with my decision to become a candidate, and none of its members knew of my decision except through the media.”
Regarding his own  accusation towards the Brotherhood, Suleiman said he had come to the conclusion from messages he and people close to him have received. Nevertheless, he said, "throughout the period I have been working in intelligence,  there were no violations and our work was in adherence with law.” He added: “If some think that threats would cause me to change my mind, they must be dreaming. One’s fate is decided by God. Those who are fearful are never able to take any decision in their lives. I am not that kind of man, and not one of those who are discouraged and frightened by threats.”
As for what is being said about the release of Mubarak in case Suleiman won the election race, Suleiman wondered: “How come, and in what logic? The former president and some of his men are subjected to the Egyptian judicial authority, which is the one to decide on their cases. I respect the Egyptian judiciary and never interfered in its affairs, and the honorable judges would never allow anyone whosoever to intervene in their affairs.”
On being described as one of the remnants of the former regime, he said: “The revolution has established a new reality. No one can reproduce a regime that has fallen, ended and been rejected by the people. I have spent most of my working life at the head of a national apparatus, the General Intelligence, and held the position of deputy president for a few days. I accepted this position at that time to save what can be saved. I said to the Egyptian youth and many of those whom I met during the revolution period, that I am in favour of their legitimate demands, and I sought to honestly convey all their demands and defend them. I have never sought power or position, but I was performing my role as a soldier of this country, who is fond of it and seeks its security and welfare. Those who say that my candidacy means a reproduction of the former regime must know that being the head of the intelligence one day, or being the vice president for a few days, does not mean that I was part of a system that people have revolted against. But my role was known to many, and I was expressing my opinion very clearly and warning of many threats, among which was the parliamentary elections which took place in 2010, as well as many laws and practices. As I said, no one would ever think to go back. History is not like this. Anyone who stands as an obstacle against the people’s demands will not be able to remain and continue, and that is why I am optimistic about the coming days.”
Suleiman noted that his electoral platform includes saving the country from the prevailing lawlessness, saying, “it is a priority in my platform. Security should be quickly restored to the country. This cannot take place except by the restoration of the state’s prestige through justice and the implementation of law on everyone without exception or complements. All are equal before the law. We will never accept violating the law or using it for political or community interests at the expense of the people’s interest and the implementation of justice.” He added: “Care must be given to the police apparatus, in order to protect the law, safeguard the country, and face all acts of violence and bullying against people.”
As for his opinion on the constitution, he said: “It should be expressing all the Egyptian people. The Constitution should not just benefit one political or social group, or a specific category. It is a Csonstitution for all Egyptians. A constitution for the present and future of the country. So all partisan, syndicate, judiciary, civil society powers should participate in making it, in addition to professors of the constitutional law and different social categories.”