Presidential hopeful says Egypt deserves grand vision

CAIRO: Presidential hopeful Hamdeen Sabahy is campaigning to turn Egypt into an economic powerhouse, bridge deep inequalities and review what he sees as the nation's cozy ties with Israel and subservience to the West.

It is a grand vision. But Sabahy 57, who has spent his political life in opposition to Hosni Mubarak, said Egyptians deserve to raise their aspirations after toppling a president of 30 years and transforming Egypt's once sclerotic politics.

"We must trust and have faith that the people who were capable of a great revolution are capable of a great renaissance," Sabahy said in an interview at his headquarters, surrounded by volunteers taking calls and checking his Twitter and Facebook accounts, which are popular campaign tools.

No date has been set for Egypt's presidential race, though analysts say it is most likely to happen in early 2012. Nevertheless, Sabahy and at least 10 others, are already busy campaigning and building networks to help them nearer the vote.

He will compete with former Arab League chief Amr Moussa and former UN nuclear watchdog head Mohamed ElBaradei, both with higher international profiles but also well known in Egypt.

But Sabahy, who was elected as independent member of the opposition in parliament in 2000 and 2005 despite widespread rigging in those votes, is working on grass-roots support with the slogan "one of us" and is touring the country seeking endorsement signatures. He has gathered 27,000, organizers say.