Arab League head Amr Moussa did not rule out seeking Egypt's presidency in an interview published Tuesday. The 73 year old former Egyptian Foreign Minister  told Shorouq daily the next leader could also be Mubarak's politician son, Gamal Mubarak, 45.

Moussa's comments add to speculation with the 2011 presidential election nearing. Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, 81, has not said if he runs again. "It is the right of all citizens with the ability and competency to aspire to a position to participate in serving the homeland, including the top position of president of the republic," Moussa said in interview.

According to him, the rights and obligations of all citizens "hold true for me, for you and also for Gamal Mubarak."

Regarding calls the newspaper said had been made in the media and websites for him to run for president, Moussa said: "The confidence expressed by several citizens when they talk about my nomination makes me very proud, and I consider it a message that has without doubt reached me."

"But taking a decision on this issue requires several considerations...and we are somehow still far from the time for taking any decision on this matter," he added. Moussa also conveyed: "I don't have specific thinking on the nomination for the presidency."

© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)