Butcher of Egypt to run for president

Former Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, who was the main element behind the killings of protesters last year, says he will run for president in the country’s landmark election.

Suleiman announced his candidacy in a statement on Friday.

Sunday is the registration deadline for Egypt’s first presidential race since former dictator Hosni Mubarak’s downfall.

Suleiman, appointed vice president last January when the Egyptian revolution was gaining momentum, was directly involved in the killing of protesters who revolted against Mubarak’s three-decade rule.

Suleiman’s candidacy comes as the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, the dominant party in the parliament, has nominated Khairat al-Shater as its presidential runner.

On Thursday, thousands of Egyptians voiced support for Shater as he registered for the elections.

The 61-year-old has called for an Islamic and democratic state in Egypt. The vote is to be held on May 23 and 24.

The Muslim Brotherhood has recently warned against the possible attempts by the ruling junta to rig the election.