'Abd el-Mun'im Abū al-Futūh, a senior member of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, said he would run for president as an independent, a move that could draw votes from backers of the Islamist group that has said it will not field a candidate.

Abū al-Futūh said his move did not mean the Brotherhood had changed tactics. A senior Brotherhood member said Abū al-Futūh's decision was personal and the group would not back his candidacy.

Abū al-Futūh said he would be able to heal divisions between Muslims and Christians.