Former UN nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei sharply criticised Egypt's ruling system Sunday, saying the country has stagnated under President Hosni Mubarak while corruption has thrived. In his first televised appearance since he returned to his native Egypt, the 67-year-old ElBaradei said his ultimate goal was to set the country down the path of democratic reform. But he remained coy on the primary question on many Egyptians' minds - whether he'll challenge President Hosni Mubarak in elections slated for next year. He also didn't give specifics on how he would lobby for democratic change. "I am not nominating myself," said ElBaradei, who returned Friday for the first time since leaving his post as head of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Association after 12 years in office. "I am talking about the fate of a nation, and the future of our sons. I am saying we have a problem. We must change course. Whether I am part of that change or just light the way, this is secondary." Egypt has been ruled for nearly 30 years by Mubarak and has yet to say if he will seek a sixth term. ElBaradei, who won the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize, could be the most credible opposition leader to emerge as Egypt prepares for 2011 presidential elections. Last year, young Egyptians and activists called on him in an open letter to run for president. ElBaradei responded that he would only join the race if guaranteed that elections would be free, fully supervised by the judiciary and monitored by the international community. He repeated those conditions Sunday night, but added that if those terms were met, he would even take on Mubarak at the polls. However, it would be an uphill battle for him to even run. Constitutional reforms in 2005 and 2007 introduced multi-candidate presidential elections for the first time, but made it practically impossible for independent candidates to run. But ElBaradei didn't shy away from criticising Mubarak's government Sunday, saying corruption, the abuse of power and security fears have been the hallmarks of its rule. He rattled off a list of the country's ills - poverty, widespread illiteracy, economic decay, social tension between Muslims and Christians - and said people had been "insulted" by a regime that denied them political rights. "No matter how much the Government says it is reforming - and I don't doubt that it is - but I do doubt that it is reforming in the right direction and fast enough," he said. Broadcast live on the private Egyptian satellite station Dream TV, ElBaradei tried to use the three-hour interview as an occasion to introduce himself to his countrymen after more than for more than 20 years abroad. He appeared at times as a philanthropist, who is moved by the wide disparity between rich and poor in Egypt and widespread corruption. He said he had never voted in any elections himself, and cited Ghandi. "I don't have a government (to back me) or an army. I have ideas that call for justice and freedom," he said. "If this is something that scares the regime, then the problem in Egypt is bigger than what we initially thought."
