Moussa leads Egyptian presidential race

Former Arab League chief Amr Moussa remains the most likely winner in the upcoming Egyptian presidential election, a poll released on Monday found.

Moussa received the backing of 39 percent of the electorate, 15 percent clear of his nearest rival just two weeks ahead of the official polling day, the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies poll found.

Former Muslim Brotherhood member Abul Fotouh came second with 24.5 percent, followed by former Prime
Minister Ahmed Shafiq with 17.2 percent.

However Shafiq, who was controversially allowed back into the race after initially being disqualified, showed the fastest growth of the candidates, rising from 11.9 percent a week before.

Official Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi lagged behind, with just 7 percent of people saying they would give him their first preference vote.

None of the 13 candidates in the first round of Egypt's first genuinely democratic presidential election are expected to get the 50 percent support needed to avoid a run-off.

The two top candidates will therefore be put to another vote, due to be held in mid-June.

Moussa, 75, once enjoyed links to the Mubarak regime and promotes himself as a bridge between the country's liberals and Islamists.

Known for his strong anti-Israel views, Mousa has tried to paint himself as the only candidate with the stature and experience to lead Egypt.

The poll, financed by Al-Ahram press organization, covered the period between 28 April and 1 May and was conducted through personal interviews with 1,200 participants.

(Al-Akhbar)