By Reuters
CAIRO: Reformer Mohamed ElBaradei, a former Nobel Laureate, said his personal goal was to help build a democratic Egypt rather than bid for the presidency, and said the country’s next leader should be in their 40s or 50s.
ElBaradei was a vocal critic of President Hosni Mubarak, 82, who resigned on Friday after unprecedented nationwide protests. Supporters have seen the former UN nuclear watchdog head as a possible president. Critics say he spent too much time abroad.
“My only goal is to see my country transition from the path of oppressive dictatorship to a civilized … and democratic state,” he told Al Jazeera in an interview.
“I hope the president will be in his 40s or early 50s,” said the 68-year-old retired diplomat.
“I will of course not nominate myself for the president of the republic by myself,” he said. “I do not desire to be president.”
His comments did not appear to completely close the door on a possible presidential bid, if others pushed him.
He also commented on the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s most organized political force although it was banned from forming a party under Mubarak’s rule and its members were often jailed.
ElBaradei said the group had built up support by providing medical and other assistance to the poor “which the government is not able to do” but said the group’s support base was around 20 percent of Egyptians.
Analysts say the group has developed a broad, grassroots network through social and charity work. Estimates of the Brotherhood’s support tend to range from 20 to 40 percent.
But analysts also say the group’s real popularity is almost impossible to tell given that there have been no reliable opinion polls and elections in Egypt were routinely rigged.
