Egypt's main opposition parties to boycott elections
Egypt's main opposition coalition has announced to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections.
CAIRO (AP) - The decision by the liberal and secular National Salvation Front was announced in a televised news conference by leading member Sameh Ashour, who also heads Egypt s lawyers union.
The elections were called last weekend by Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. The vote will start in April and be staggered over a two-month period.
Ashour said the decision to boycott the vote was taken unanimously.
The opposition has been calling on Morsi to defuse the nation s political crisis before calling for elections to prevent the country from plunging deeper into chaos.
It wants a "neutral" government to replace the one led by Islamist Hesham Kandil, and for steps to be taken to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
