Mohamed Emad Eddin, a leader of the Freedom and Justice Party, has threatened to expel young members of the Muslim Brotherhood if they support Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh in the presidential election.

“If they violate the unanimous decision of the group not to support Abouel Fotouh, then they must go,” he said.

“The next president must have the support of a majority of the people,” he added. “That is why the Brotherhood is keen on supporting a candidate who is approved by all political forces.”

“They should resign or face investigation,” said young group member Islam Faris, adding that young members should support Hossam al-Gheriany or another candidate that he said would be a “surprise.”

Bassam Qutb, another young Brotherhood member, said he would continue to support Abouel Fotouh. “I am against blind obedience,” he said.

Brotherhood spokesperson Mahmoud Ghazlan has said that the Brotherhood has not yet reached consensus on which candidate to back in the poll.

“We will announce our pick in due time,” he said.

Abouel Fotouh, a longtime moderate within the Muslim Brotherhood who has gained support among some revolutionaries and young members of the group, was expelled from the group because he declared his intention to run for president after the Brotherhood said it would not field a candidate.

Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm