Egypt: SPEC upholds decision to bar leading presidential candidates

Egypt's Supreme Presidential Electoral Commission (SPEC)has officially upheld a decision to disqualify Khairat El-Shater, Omar Suleiman and Salafist preacher Hazem Abu-Ismail from the forthcoming May presidential elections. The decision will serve to increase political tensions further following a fortnight of increased competition between rival groupings. The move is a major boost for Amr Mousa and Islamist moderate, Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh, who are now well placed to assume the leading position in the state. The supporters of the disqualified candidates are likely to escalate protests in the coming days, particularly in Cairo. Abu Ismail's supporters in particular are likely to remain at the SPEC headquarters in Heliopolis, Cairo, where they have been based for a number of days already. The youth activists meanwhile are expected to gather in central Cairo on Friday to press for greater political reforms. The current ruling SCAF military council are expected to bear the brunt of their criticism; however, the edge is likely to be taken off after the SCAF moved against Suleiman, a former Mubarak era spy chief, and Shater of the Muslim Brotherhood. Youth activists have been particularly critical of the candidature of these two men.