Human rights lawyer Khaled Ali might be gearing for a second, more credible, run for the presidency, Hamza Hendawi suggests in a piece for The Associated Press. His success in delivering the court ruling that the Tiran and Sanafir islands are Egyptian “gave Ali the shine of a defender of the country's integrity among the many who opposed the handover,” Hendawi says. He told The AP he is considering running again in the presidential elections next year, providing a long shot challenge to incumbent Abdel Fattah El Sisi. "Of course, I am a likely candidate, but I have yet to make a final decision," he says, adding his chief concern is the "legal and constitutional" environment of the vote scheduled for summer 2018. "We have 18 months during which we must work together, reorganize our bases and prepare for a battle that I believe will be an important one, regardless of its final outcome," Ali said. Tafline Laylin suggested in OZY last week that Egyptian scientist Essam Heggy might be gearing up for a presidential bid of his own as well.

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