Two security service giants in running for presidency of new party

A former intelligence chief and a former interior minister are reportedly two contenders for the top post in a new political party, the privately-owned daily Al-Watan reported Tuesday.

Former head of General Intelligence Murad Muwafy and former Interior Minister Ahmed Gamal Eddin are being considered by the leadership of the Masr Belady front as it prepares to establish a political party.

The front has a number of figures from cabinets during the administration of former President Hosni Mubarak. Mubarak's last prime minister, Ahmed Shafiq, was also considering joining the front, according to a December report in Al-Watan, quoting a spokesperson for Shafiq's organization, the National Movement.

Mahmoud Nefady, the National Movement spokesperson, counted old-regime figures such as former head of the Central Authority for Organization, Safwat Nahhas, former Planning Minister Fayza Aboul Naga, former investment chief Mostafa Fiqqi, and former Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa as current members of Masr Belady.

This discussion over party leadership comes as a number of old regime figures establish parties and movements, many of whose prominent members are shared between groups.

Shafiq reportedly met with Muwafy in February to discuss how best to support a presidential run by Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Nefady recently joined the “We Are Egypt” party, which consists of over 200 former MPs.

Its not clear if the two parties are all merging under Masr Belady. There has been no discussion of whether Sisi will form a political party or support any with membership or statements. Analysts say he will have to form a political apparatus if he wants to implement any sort of electoral program in the event that he wins the presidency.