CAIRO (Reuters) – Around 200 supporters of Hosni Mubarak began a protest on Saturday which they said would continue until the deposed Egyptian President is transferred from prison to hospital.

Security officials and media have reported a severe deterioration in the 84-year-old’s health since he was sentenced to life last week for his role in the killing of hundreds of protesters during last year’s popular uprising that toppled him.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq stepped up his attacks against his Muslim Brotherhood rival in a run-off vote, saying on Sunday the Islamist would drag Egypt into the “dark ages” and threaten the rights of women, Christians and others.

The comments from the last Prime Minister of former president Hosni Mubarack, his first public address for more than a week, reflected how divisive the race has become since the former air force commander made it through last month’s first round into a head-to-head against Mohamed Mursi.

CAIRO (Reuters) – An arson attack on the headquarters of one of the two candidates in Egypt’s presidential election has marred campaigning for the second round in a vote that has polarized the nation with the choice of an Islamist or Hosni Mubarak’s last prime minister.

Protesters set fire to storage rooms and smashed computers late on Monday at the campaign headquarters of Ahmed Shafiq, a 70-year-old former air force chief and Mubarak official, who was confirmed as a run-off candidate after the first round vote.

CAIRO (Reuters) – At first glance, it was a victory. Just two months ago, the Muslim Brotherhood was not even in the race for the Egyptian presidency. Last week, its candidate made it to the run-off, according to unofficial results.

The Brotherhood did what it does better than any other group in Egypt: mobilized a nationwide network to get out the vote, catapulting Mohamed Mursi into the second round on June 16 and 17 against Ahmed Shafiq, Hosni Mubarak’s last prime minister.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptians must choose between a Muslim Brother or an ex-military man in a presidential run-off that highlights the stark rifts in a nation united in euphoria when Hosni Mubarak fell 15 months ago, first-round results indicated on Friday.

With most votes counted, the Muslim Brotherhood said its candidate Mohamed Mursi had topped this week’s polls and would compete in next month’s second round with former air force chief Ahmed Shafiq, who served as Mubarak’s last prime minister.

CAIRO (Reuters) – For Egyptians worn down by a tumultuous military interregnum, the first opportunity to choose their leader freely looked as much like a poisoned chalice as a triumph of democracy.

They queued to vote in an election whose uncertain outcome breaks with five millennia of autocratic rule from the pharaohs to Hosni Mubarak, but many appeared vexed by the choice before them, with fear of the unknown muddying the waters.

CAIRO, May 20 (Reuters) – Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood showed
off its ability to rally support with choreographed campaign
events throughout the nation on Sunday in a final push to clinch
victory for its candidate in this week’s presidential election.

Well-known Islamic preachers and soccer celebrities took to
the podium in Cairo to endorse Brotherhood candidate Mohamed
Mursi, a relative latecomer to the race. His main rivals include
Islamists and ex-officials of former President Hosni Mubarak.

TANTA, Egypt (Reuters) – Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood planned a mass climax to its presidential campaign on Sunday, hoping to sway undecided voters and clinch victory in this week’s election when Egyptians will choose their leader freely for the first time.

On the last day of official campaigning, the Brotherhood told Egyptians to “book your place anywhere in Egypt” for evening rallies in support of its candidate Mohamed Mursi.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s Coptic Christians complained of discrimination under Hosni Mubarak but fear it may get worse if an Islamist takes his place in next week’s presidential election.

Long-suppressed Islamists already dominate parliament. Islamist contenders for the presidency say Christians, who form about a tenth of Egypt’s 82 million mostly Muslim people, will not be sidelined, but mistrustful Copts will not vote for them.