Ex-UN nuclear chief: Egypt is desperate for change

[February 27, 2010]  CAIRO (AP) -- The former head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog has warned that Egypt could face a popular uprising if the ruling system doesn't respond to peaceful appeals for change.

Mohammed ElBaradei told The Associated Press Saturday that he wants to create a peaceful movement pressing for free and fair elections.

The Nobel prize winner says "it is inevitable that change will come to Egypt. What I'm trying to do is pre-empt a point of clash between the government and the people."

ElBaradei, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is in Egypt to drum up support for his efforts to press for electoral reforms in a land ruled for nearly 30 years by President Hosni Mubarak.

Supporters see him as a possible presidential candidate in upcoming elections.

[Associated Press]

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