What a choice: Ahmed Shafiq leaves Egypt after presidential election loss

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The defeated "old regime" candidate in Egypt's presidential elections left the country on Tuesday, shortly after law suits were filed claiming he had been involved in corruption.

Ahmed Shafiq, a retired air force general and the last prime minister of ex-President Hosni Mubarak, became the second close confidant of the former dictator to leave for Abu Dhabi, after Omar Suleiman, his intelligence chief.

Mr Shafiq at the weekend had been confident that he was about to be declared Egypt's next leader. In the event, a narrow but clear victory was awarded to Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the next day the law suit was passed to an investigating judge by prosecutors.

His campaign said he was going for a short visit and on to Mecca for a pilgrimage. But his departure, along with that of Mr Suleiman, has led to speculation that old regime figures are fearing either retribution or prosecution for their performance in office under Mr Mubarak.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/9357764/Ahmed-Shafiq-leaves-Egypt-after-presidential-election-loss.html