ElBaradei rules out Egypt party link in 2011 vote

Former nuclear watchdog and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei would run only as an independent in Egypt's 2011 presidency, if he decides to participate, he told a newspaper published on Thursday.

Egyptian media have speculated that opposition parties might court the former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency as the most realistic way of getting his name on the ballot because analysts say rules make an independent nomination almost impossible.

"I respect parties, but I am an independent man and cannot enter the election except as an independent," ElBaradei told Egypt's al-Masry al-Youm daily, appearing to rule out running on an opposition party platform.

"Entering the presidential election through a political party means I agree to the fake frame of political practices in Egypt and had granted this frame legitimacy," he added.

Egypt's constitution lacks legitimacy because it does not allow most citizens to nominate themselves in presidential elections, he said.

Egypt held its first multi-candidate presidential election in 2005 that it touted as a process of democratisation, but which critics panned as a sham. Few expect the 2011 race to throw up a serious challenger to Hosni Mubarak, in power since 1981.

If ElBaradei were to run as an independent, he would need the backing of 250 elected representatives across both houses of parliament and local councils — all of which are dominated by Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party.