cairo former egyptian prime minister ahmed shafiq ex-air force pilot former presidential candidate say wednesday intend run presidential election early next year would return cairo come days shafiq late tell pan-arab tv channel al jazeera unite arab emirates close ally egypt currently live bar travel surprise prevent leave uae reason understand shafiq say add thank uae hospitality wish depart anwar gargash uae minister state foreign affairs deny official twitter account obstacles place travel say uae host despite strong reservations position video declaration send early reuters well telephone statement shafiq say would run election plan around april president abdel fattah al-sisi widely expect seek second term honor announce run upcoming presidential elections egypt choice president country next four years say statement uae highlight time air force shafiq would among small number candidates announce intentions 2018. lose mohamed mursi muslim brotherhood first presidential election egypt 2011 uprise topple autocrat hosni mubarak sisi military commander lead army oust mursi 2013 landslide election year late yet announce whether run say follow people supporters regard sisi key stability follow prolong violent upheaval follow 2011 revolt government fight stubborn islamist militancy north sinai also enact painful austerity reform last year critics say dent popularity defeat shafiq flee overseas form political party lead abroad fail make significant gain 2015 parliamentary election shafiq face various corruption charge either acquit case drop instance year ago lawyer say remove airport watchlists clear way return home exclusive former egyptian premier shafiq say intend run 2018 election