Shafiq slanders Muslim Brotherhood

Egyptian Presidential candidate and former prime minister, Ahmed Shafiq accused the Muslim Brotherhood of trying to create a sectarian state, and push Egypt backwards.              

The long-time ally of former president Hosni Mubarak, is one of two candidates in the presidential runoff set for June 16-17.              

Shafiq also accused the Muslim Brotherhood of trying to blackmail the Christian Copts and prevent them from exercising their voting rights.                 

On Tuesday, the presidential candidate for Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Morsi sought to expand his support base ahead of the tight runoff against Shafiq, vowing to ensure the full rights of Christians and women if he is elected.                 

Morsi claimed the top spot in the first round of Egypt's landmark election last week, putting him in the June 16-17 runoff vote against Ahmed Shafiq, a former air force commander and Mubarak's last prime minister.               

Both candidates are highly polarising figures, and are scrambling to broaden their base by appealing to groups that didn't support them in the first round.             

On Saturday, Shafiq's campaign headquarters in the cities of Fayyoum and Hurghada were attacked and damaged.

APTN