CAIRO, Dec 22 (Aswat Masriya) The head of the 50-member assembly that wrote Egypt’s new constitution, Amr Moussa, has told a local newspaper that he does not intend to run for presidency, expressing his support for Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Moussa, who was once the secretary-general of the Arab League, came fifth in last year’s presidential elections that brought the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Mursi to power.

Egypt’s army ousted Mursi in July, in response to mass demonstrations, announced early parliamentary and presidential elections and suspended a constitution written by an Islamist-led assembly last year.

“I support General Sisi, because it’s the public’s desire that he becomes the next president; if that’s the general atmosphere, we’re part of it,” Moussa told Al-Masry Al-Youm.

Moussa added that Egypt needs a strong ruler who understands management techniques and has experience with international relations and is well aware of regional and domestic issues, suggesting that parliamentary elections be run before presidential elections.

Egyptians will vote on the new constitution in mid January.