CAIRO - a new face has emerged as a possible contender Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as leader of the most populous country in the Arab world to follow.
Mr Mubarak, 82 years old and recently recovered from gall bladder surgery, has no successor, refusal of even a Vice President, before the presidential elections next autumn planned to appoint named. For nearly a decade, there are two suspected candidates in line to succeed: Gamal Mubarak, the younger his two sons, and Omar Suleiman, the country's powerful intelligence chief.
But some Western diplomats, senior members of the Egypt of the ruling, National Democratic Party and political analysts in Cairo say a new contender emerged: Ahmed Shafiq, the Minister of civil aviation and former Commander of the air force of Egypt, who started a turn 2002 most cited the country's flagship carrier, Egypt air.
"Shafiq has a good reputation." He hard, honest and low-key ", said a senior official in Egypt's ruling party."His name is definitely are out."
A current column of the editor in Chief of progovernment quoted diplomats, State-controlled Mussawar magazine touting Mr. Shafiq's merit as a sign of his rise. Mr Shafiq declined an opinion on this item.
Mr Mubarak, has not of which makes nearly three decades, said whether he will seek another term. If he doesn't, he could choose a successor at the top of the NDP tickets run makes his choice to become next favorite of Egypt's President.
Rivals from outside the party to have as the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed El Baradei, some buzz generated, but currently too little hope of posing a meaningful challenge for the political regime seem.
Mr. ElBaradei said he viewed himself as a symbol for change and no political leader. In a video posted on his Facebook page Wednesday he called for a boycott of the election and mass demonstrations.
In the midst of persistent questions about Mr. Mubarak's health, lack one got known successor Western diplomats and Egyptian officials.
"Everyone expected some clarity now have", a Western said military officials in Cairo, works closely with Egyptian military that was the key power broker in Egyptian politics. "At any time we see a sudden power vacuum."
A vacuum would improve the chances of a long-running power struggle in the ruling party. Rivalries reach to Mr Mubarak's inner circle, according to officials in Cairo. This circle of military commanders, security and intelligence officials and the party bosses would probably Egypt next ruler decide if Mr Mubarak dies or is unable without naming a successor.
Succession prospects of Gamal Mubarak, 47-year-old were head of the ruling party of the political Committee, once almost indisputable but have faded in the last years as a series of policy initiatives, including the economic reconstruction have stymied was displayed. He and his allies have long blocked appeared in a power struggle with an old guard that has maintained a close to Egypt military and security apparatus to keep. Mr. Mubarak rejected requests will be interviewed.
Many observers say Mr Suleiman most likely succeeds. He is President Mubarak's closest aide, calculates most sensitive issues with the handling of the country. He has also close working relationship with the United States and a lifetime of experience within Egypt military and intelligence apparatus.
But in recent months has reduced his public profile, triggering his star also may have faded speculation. And his age, 74, could be an obstacle.
Mr Shafiq, appears in the meantime to navigate between the two centres of power within the NDP. The 69-year old is a former Air Force Commander as President Mubarak was, and served under Mr Mubarak's command. He comes from a rather limited cadre powerful retired generals who serve in influential civilian roles. He is a trusted Mubarak family familiar to Western and Egyptian officials.
He has proven his leadership skills, consider commercial aviation sector in the 21st century Egypt. He was once wobbly national carriers of top massive upgrades to Cairo International Airport and the country transformed.
"He is a very strong person, very balanced and very quiet," says Osama Ghazali Harb, a former NDP officials and ally of Gamal Mubarak, who broke with the regime in 2005 and now edited influential political journal. "But most importantly, it is highly trusted by Mubarak himself."
-Ashraf Khalil contributed to this article.Write toCharles Levinson at charles.levinson@wsj.com
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