First-ever televised presidential debate to be broadcast in EgyptMay 10, 2012 - 20:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Two candidates will square off Thursday, May 10 in Egypt's first-ever televised presidential debate - just two weeks ahead of the elections, CNN reported. Secular candidate Amre Moussa, Egypt's former foreign minister and the former head of the Arab League, enjoys a considerable lead in a recent poll. He will debate Abdelmoneim Abolfotoh, a moderate candidate who was once a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Egyptian Cabinet, meanwhile, prepared Thursday for the arrival of four new members - the ministers of higher education, culture, parliamentary affairs and labor and immigration, the state-run MENA news agency reported. In the presidential race, a poll published Monday by Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies showed Abolfotoh was running second, edged out by Moussa. Moussa enjoys popularity in poorer, more densely populated provinces, where many long for stability associated with the old regime. Abolfotoh has the support of more educated voters. In all, 13 candidates are contesting the presidency. Absent in the debate is the candidate for the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party: Mohamed Morsi. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |