A prominent Egyptian-U.S. sociologist announced Monday that he was dropping out of Egypt's first open presidential elections, becoming the second aspirant for the nation's top job to withdraw in three days.
Saad Eddin Ibrahim, 66, said he withdrew because serious contenders were being blocked from running by a limited constitutional amendment passed in May allowing multi-candidate elections in September.
"In solidarity with a national coalition of democratic forces calling for a boycott of this political farce, I must declare my withdrawal as a presidential contender," said Ibrahim, who had announced he would run in October.
It should be noted that President Hosni Mubarak, leader since 1981, has not said if he will run but is widely expected to do so.
On Saturday, Nawal el-Saadawi, a 73-year-old feminist candidate, also pulled out of the race, citing similar reasons.
