Egypt's Moussa does not rule out presidency run: paper

CAIRO (Reuters) - Arab League chief and former Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa did not rule out seeking the country's presidency in an interview that is likely to fuel speculation about who could succeed President Hosni Mubarak.

Moussa, aged 73 and praised by many Egyptians and Arabs for criticism of both Israel and past U.S. Middle East policies, told Shorouk the next leader could also be Mubarak's politician son, Gamal Mubarak, 45.

Moussa's comments, albeit vague, will add to speculation with the 2011 presidential election nearing.

Mubarak, 81, in power since 1981, has not said if he will run again. The most common view is that he is grooming his son although both deny this.

"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, excerpts of which were sent to Reuters.

He said 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 said.

He also said: "I don't have specific thinking on the nomination for the presidency."