Cairo, Egypt - Retracting his earlier statement that he will not contest the presidency,  leading Egyptian opposition figure and former UN atomic energy chief, Mohamed Al-Baradei, now says he will run for president if he feels it is a popular demand by a large section of the society. Baradei said here Sunday he was sure Egypt would not witness a setback on the path to a free and democratic society because 'Egyptians now know the way, could go back to the street in millions again if necessary and will not allow anyone to govern them except the people themselves.'

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, running the affairs of Egypt since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, has promised to hold elections later in the year.

Baradei criticized what he described as the 'slow insufficient' steps taken by the armed forces in the interim period, to pave the way for democratic rule in the country and urged the military to extract the 'live' remnants of the Mubarak regime and his National Democratic Party, to stop any potential attempts aimed at quelling the people's revolution.

He played a key role in the lead-up to the facebook revolution that ousted president Mubarak and his cabinet but lost credibility among the populace for not joining the protesters from day one.

Outgoing Arab League Secretary, General Amr Moussa, a former foreign minister, is seen by many as the leading candidate for the top post.

Moussa's supporters, mostly youngsters, said he was more trustworthy than Baradei when it comes to internal and external affairs.

Other potential top presidential hopefuls are Ayman Nour, head of the Al-Ghad party, who was runner-up to Mubarak in the 2005 elections, and the first Egyptian to openly challenge the ousted Mubarak and the current caretaker, Premier Ahmad Shafiq, known for integrity and professionalism, though many consider him an ally of Mubarak.

The Muslim Brotherhood, seen as the strongest single cohesive force on the political scene, said it would not field a candidate for the presidency but a new party formed few days ago, the  Al-Wasat, which has Islamic background could field a presidential candidate.

Egyptians are already speculating that perhaps a previously little-known figure with the support of the youth would stand a better chance. 

There are conflicting reports about whether the military will field a candidate for the president, although it has affirmed it will not seek power.

Pana 22/02/2011