Ten Egyptian candidates barred from elections

Egyptian election officials have barred 10 candidates from standing in upcoming polls, including former spy chief Omar Suleiman and the Muslim Brotherhood’s Khairat al-Shater.

Ultra-orthodox Salafi Hazem Salah Abu Ismail and long-standing opposition leader Ayman Nour were also banned. The banned candidates have 48 hours to appeal. Thirteen candidates remain. Correspondents say the move comes as a surprise and looks set to dramatically alter the race. Many of those banned and their supporters have expressed anger over the move and large demonstrations are expected in the capital, Cairo. A first round of elections is due in May, more than a year after former President Hosni Mubarak was ousted.