I'm not the ideal person: The former prime minister withdraws from the presidential race

The former prime minister of Egypt, Ahmed Shafiq, has withdrawn from the race for the country's presidency, saying he is the wrong person for the job.

Mr. Shafiq announced his candidacy in November in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he fled after losing his 2012 election to Mohammed Morsi.

Within days he was arrested by the United Arab Emirates, which supports his rival, incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Assi.

Shafiq was widely considered the most serious challenger for Mr. Yeah.

He was deported by the United Arab Emirates following his arrest, and his family reported that he was unable to contact him after his arrival in Egypt.

Hours later, he gave an interview on Egyptian television, in which he denied speculation that he was kidnapped and said he was reviewing his decision to run against Mr. Yeah.

His family raised concerns about some kind of conspiracy claiming he was being held against his will at a hotel in Cairo.

On Sunday, Shafiq confirmed in a tweet that he would not run, saying he was not the ideal person to lead the country.

My memory for more than five years probably distanced me from the opportunity to follow closely what is happening in our nation in terms of developments and achievements despite the difficulties of conditions. I find that I will not be the ideal person to lead state affairs in the coming period. So I have decided not to run in the upcoming 2018-18x1> presidential elections.

Former Air Force Commander and Air Force Minister, Mr. Shafiq competed for president in 2012, but lost a tight grip on Morsi, who subsequently issued an arrest warrant on corruption charges.

Mr. Shafiq fled to the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Morsi was later toppled by the army and replaced in 2014 by Sisi, while Shafiq was acquitted of corruption charges.