Major blow

NOBEL peace prize winner Mohamed Elbaradei’s decision to quit the race for the presidency was seen in Egypt as a setback for the military rulers and one depriving liberals of a key force. The ex-un nuclear watchdog chief made the surprise announcement on Saturday, days before Egypt is set to celebrate the first anniversary of the Arab Spring.

“My conscience does not allow me to run for the presidency or any other official position unless there is real democracy,” Elbaradei said in a statement.

He charged that old regime figures still ruled the country, accused them of repressive tactics and criticised what he said were “botched” moves to draw up a constitution after the election later this year of a new president.

The banner headline in the government daily Al Akhbar compared Elbaradei’s decision to a “bomb” while the independent Al Shorouk and Al Masry al Youm papers said it targeted the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

The army council has repeatedly pledged to cede full powers to civilian rule when a president is elected by the end of June, but there is widespread belief that the military wants to maintain a political role in the future.

The military has also come under fire over its human rights record and faced accusations that it has resorted to tactics of the earlier era to stifle dissent.

Presidential hopefuls like former Arab League chief Amr Mussa and opposition figures like Ayman Nur lamented Elbaradei’s decisions with some fearing that it could destroy the aspirations of liberals to reform Egypt.

Mussa, one of 10 contenders, expressed confidence that Elbaradei “will pursue his efforts to rebuild the country.”

Nur, who challenged Mubarak in the 2005 election, and who still eyes the presidency despite spending time in jail, praised Elbaradei as “the president of the Egyptian conscience,” media reported. His departure is a “kiss of life to the revolution”, Nur was quoted as saying.

Elbaradei was initially hailed as a hero upon his return to Egypt in February 2010 at the end of his tenure as the International Atomic Energy Agency’s chief.