Ex-UN nuclear chief critiques Egypt’s democracy
The former chief of the U.N.’s nuclear agency critiqued Egypt’s lack of democracy after reform-minded Egyptian youths urged him to come home and run for president.
In an open letter published in newspapers over the weekend, Mohamed ElBaradei said he would only consider the prospect if the country made sweeping democratic strides. The remarks by the Nobel Peace Prize winner triggered a wave of backlash in government media that sought to discredit him by calling him an American stooge.
The prospect that either President Hosni Mubarak — who has ruled for 28 years — or his son will run and win the 2011 election led Egypt’s opposition parties and other activists to seek out and support anyone who might put up a fighting chance against the ruling party.
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