Former defense minister endorses Egyptian presidential candidate
MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer favors Suleiman, says Muslim Brotherhood alternative will threaten peace
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli lawmaker with close ties to the ousted Egyptian regime said former spy chief Omar Suleiman would be the best president for Egypt in terms of Israeli interests.
Legislator Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor) said a Muslim Brotherhood leader would threaten Israel’s 1979 peace deal with Egypt.
Ben-Eliezer told Army Radio on Monday that former strongman Suleiman views relations with Israel as a strategic “cornerstone.”
The 1979 accord is a pillar of stability for both countries.
But Israeli concerns for its future have grown with the rise of Islamist parties in Egypt. The Brotherhood has said it would seek changes, but not cancel the peace deal.
Ben-Eliezer is a longtime friend of toppled Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. Suleiman announced his candidacy for president last week.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
The Times of Israel Community.