This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8524505.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Hundreds gather for ElBaredei Hundreds gather for ElBaredei
(20 minutes later)
Hundreds have gathered outside Cairo's airport to welcome home Mohammed ELBaradei, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.Hundreds have gathered outside Cairo's airport to welcome home Mohammed ELBaradei, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Mr ElBaradei, a Nobel laureate has not lived in his homeland for decades but is considering running for the presidency in next year's election.Mr ElBaradei, a Nobel laureate has not lived in his homeland for decades but is considering running for the presidency in next year's election.
Egyptian security forces had earlier warned his supporters not to gather at the airport.Egyptian security forces had earlier warned his supporters not to gather at the airport.
Large gatherings are illegal in Egypt and can be dispersed by the police.Large gatherings are illegal in Egypt and can be dispersed by the police.
Reports suggest that around 500-700 people have arrived outside the airport waving banners and chanting support for Mr ElBaredei.Reports suggest that around 500-700 people have arrived outside the airport waving banners and chanting support for Mr ElBaredei.
However the BBC's Cairo correspondent Christian Fraser says that the thousands of young activists who had signed up to a Facebook campaign were turned away at checkpoints at the approaches to the airport .However the BBC's Cairo correspondent Christian Fraser says that the thousands of young activists who had signed up to a Facebook campaign were turned away at checkpoints at the approaches to the airport .
'Civilian appeal''Civilian appeal'
Magdi Abdelhadi, the BBC's Arab Affairs Analyst says that for some Egyptian's Mr ElBaredei's appeal lies in the fact that he is a civilian - Egypt has been ruled by the military since the monarchy was overthrown over 50 years ago. He has also been untainted by corruption allegations.Magdi Abdelhadi, the BBC's Arab Affairs Analyst says that for some Egyptian's Mr ElBaredei's appeal lies in the fact that he is a civilian - Egypt has been ruled by the military since the monarchy was overthrown over 50 years ago. He has also been untainted by corruption allegations.
But detractors, writing in the state media, say that he is a figure who is out of touch with Egyptian life, having lived so many years abroad.But detractors, writing in the state media, say that he is a figure who is out of touch with Egyptian life, having lived so many years abroad.
Mr ElBaradei, 67, has built a strong reputation as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.Mr ElBaradei, 67, has built a strong reputation as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.
He stepped down in November and is now seen as the most credible potential challenger for the presidency.He stepped down in November and is now seen as the most credible potential challenger for the presidency.
He has said he might stand if there were reforms to guarantee a fair election and if he could run as an independent candidate. But for this to happen the constitution would have to be amended.He has said he might stand if there were reforms to guarantee a fair election and if he could run as an independent candidate. But for this to happen the constitution would have to be amended.
Facebook campaignFacebook campaign
President Hosni Mubarak, 81, has ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years and there is much speculation he is grooming his son Gamal to take over when he steps down.President Hosni Mubarak, 81, has ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years and there is much speculation he is grooming his son Gamal to take over when he steps down.
Opposition and civil society groups have long complained the authorities have used emergency laws and the security forces to curb political freedoms.Opposition and civil society groups have long complained the authorities have used emergency laws and the security forces to curb political freedoms.
The largest opposition party, the religious Muslim Brotherhood, is banned and its candidates have to stand as independents.The largest opposition party, the religious Muslim Brotherhood, is banned and its candidates have to stand as independents.
A campaign on the social networking website Facebook has become a focal point for those calling for Mr ElBaradei to run for the presidency.A campaign on the social networking website Facebook has become a focal point for those calling for Mr ElBaradei to run for the presidency.
. Airport officials have been ordered to greet Mr el Baradei as a dignitary but have warned against any disturbances and the large numbers that were excepted to receive him have been kept away.
So a dignitary's welcome for a highly respected Egyptian, but the security services are under strict orders to ensure that there'd be no hero's welcome, at least nothing to embarrass the president and the ruling establishment. In the end there were a few hundred supporters: intellectuals and opposition figures holding banners, but the thousands of young activists who'd signed up to a Facebook campaign were turned away at the aiport approaches. Mohammed el Baradei has said he would run in the presidential elections next year but only if the government guarantees that the elections would be free, fully supervised by the judiciary and monitored by the international community, and on the evidence of recent elections that all seems highly unlikely. But Mr el Baradei who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 with the International Atomic Energy Agency has popular support unlike Gamal Mubarak, the president's son, who many believe is being groomed to succeed his father. The constitution, however, would have to change dramatically for Mr el Baradei to be eligible - he's not a member of any political party, and given the character assassination that has already begun in some state newspapers, he's perhaps already thinking twice about his candidacy next year. begun in some state newspapers, he's perhaps already thinking twice about his candidacy next year.
The excitement and anticipation surrounding the arrival of Mr El Baradei -- a man who has not lived in his homeland for decades, reflects the extent to which a weak and fragmented opposition in Egypt is desperately looking for a credible figurehead. Nearly three decades of Mr Mubarak's rule under emergency laws has prevented the emergence of popular politicians with any significant grass root support. The only group that has this political capital is the Muslim Brotherhood, which is outlawed, and its members are routinely thrown in jail. To this barren political landscape, arrives Mr ElBaradei. For many of his supporters he represents a ray of hope in a stagnant political scene where the only hope for change comes in the form of Mr Mubarak's son , Gamal, widely believed to be groomed to succeed his father. For the opposition, this smacks of corruption and nepotism, the malaise eating away at the moral of millions of young Egyptians dreaming of a better future; and that is partly why the young Mubarak has no genuine grass root support. For those who took the risk of going to the Cairo airport despite warnings from the security services, Mr ElBaradei represents respectability and fairness which, his supporters say, are now in short supply among the country's ruling elite. Equally important is the fact that he is a civilian -- unlike all of Egypt's presidents since the army overthrew the monarch more than fifty years ago. But Mr ?ElBaradei faces an uphill struggle. He may be popular, but he does not fulfil any of the difficult constitutional conditions set for would be presidential candidate