CAIRO: Former International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei, a leading reform figure in Egypt, announced on Saturday that he no longer intends on running in the upcoming Egyptian presidential race. In the statement, ElBaradei explained that he believes he can better lead the country and its revolution from outside the restrictions and structure of state power. ElBaradei, a Nobel laureate, condemned Egypt's interim military rulers for failing to put the country on the path to democracy. He explained that the mechanisms necessary for free and fair presidential elections remain absent. “My conscience will not allow me to run for the presidency or any other official position only in the framework of a democratic system takes real essence of democracy, not just form,” he said in Saturday's statement. Almost a year has passed since the military took power after former President Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power after a series of popular uprisings last February. ElBaradei criticized the military council for ruling Egypt “as if no revolution took place and no regime has fallen.” BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/jWu4d Tags: ElBaradei, featured, Presidential Elections Section: Egypt, Latest News
