Egypt opens nominations for president March 10

Nominations for Egypt's presidential election will be accepted from March 10, officials said, signalling the military rulers have accelerated their plan for handing power to civilians.    

Abdel Moez Ibrahim, a member of the supreme committee for presidential elections, told Al Ahram online the preparations would start once elections for the Shura council, or upper house of parliament, ended later this month.    

He said the decision followed pressure from political groups to speed up the transfer of power to civilians. A second official confirmed the date. The head of

Egypt's ruling military council  called on Monday for a quick completion of the procedures needed for the country's presidential election, a sign the transition to civilian rule could be accelerated.    

Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi made the remarks in a meeting with the head of the constitutional court.    

"Field Marshal Tantawi stressed the need for quick completion of these procedures and their announcement," the Egyptian state news agency reported.

Reuters