Egypt may allow multiple presidential candidates

BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | Egypt announces democratic reform:
"'This morning I have asked the parliament and the Shura Council to amend Article 76 of the constitution, which deals with the election of the president,' Mr Mubarak said in his speech, carried live on state television.
"He said he wanted 'to give the opportunity to political parties to enter the presidential elections and provide guarantees that allow more than one candidate to be put forward to the presidency'."

More bad news for critics of President Bush's efforts to bring democratic reform to the Middle East. Of course, the danger is that the candidate who emerges victorious may be less friendly than Mubarak. In fact, the need to face an opponent in the presidential election might even force President Mubarak himself to adopt a stance more critical of the US. Only time will tell.