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In pictures: Sabahi tours Cairo

The leftist candidate took a bus around the capital in a final bid to gain support for his presidential run.

Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
Hamdeen Sabahi(***)s battle bus waits for him to finish a press conference at the Cairo(***)s Sheraton hotel
By Matthew Cassel
Published On 26 May 2012

Cairo, Egypt – On the final day of Egyptian presidential campaigning before a two-day period of enforced publicity silence, charismatic socialist candidate Hamdeen Sabahi, of the Nasserist Dignity Party, was anything but quiet.
 
After boarding his double decker campaign bus in Cairo’s Dokki neighborhood, the smiling, broad-shouldered, square-jawed populist snaked through the centre of the capital, waving to surprised and cheering groups of workers and shoppers.
 
Sabahi may trail former foreign minister Amr Moussa and ex-Muslim Brotherhood member Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh in expectations, but as the leading non-Islamist without ties to the former regime, he represents the hopes of many Egyptians.

Learn more about the 13 presidential candidates here.

Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
Supporters joined Sabahi(***)s bus; their cars adorned with his posters.
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Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
Sabahi climbs aboard the bus, greeting his supporters and relishing the moment.
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
His supporters were jubilant and greeted the leftist candidate with kisses.
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
"Take my picture," one supporter said. "Sabahi will be our next president."
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
A man surprised to see the bus shouts to Sabahi from his vehicle: "I love you!" The driver added that he would be encouraging others to vote for him this week.
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
Commuters look on as Sabahi(***)s bus passes them.
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Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
Journalists struggle to catch up with Sabahi(***)s campaign bus and its entourage of supporters.
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
Construction workers look on, while Sabahi campaigns from the open-topped vehicle.
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
Cairenes look on from their homes and offices as the bus passes
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
The bus blasted "my vote is for Hamdeen Sabahi" as it drove through downtown Cairo.
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
People in downtown Cairo were surprised to see the bus pass.
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
Sabahi(***)s bus drives through Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the uprising against former President Hosni Mubarak
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
A group of young men were caught by surprise upon seeing the bus.
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
Sabahi was surrounded by supporters during his tour of the city.
Hamdeen Sabahi campaigns in Cairo
Supporters followed the bus as it continued its journey around Cairo