ElBaradei discusses post-regime with US and Britain

Egyptian dissident and former UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei has discussed with US and British diplomats possible “post-Mubarak” scenarios, an Egyptian political source told AFP yesterday.

Mr ElBaradei held telephone discussions with US ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey and British ambassador Dominic Asquith, the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Washington confirmed that Mr Scobey spoke to the former globe-trotting diplomat for the first time since he flew back to Egypt as public unrest and demonstrations mounted against the 30-year strongman rule of President Hosni Mubarak.

Mr ElBaradei proposed that newly appointed vice president and former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman take over as Interim President during which time Parliament could be dissolved and the Constitution amended ahead of general elections, the source said.

Another option proposed by Mr ElBaradei was to form a presidential council of three people – a military man and two civilians – to manage the transition period once President Mubarak has stepped down.

Arab League chief Amr Mussa yesterday called for “change through dialogue” in Egypt, as hundreds of thousands of people turned out for demonstrations calling for the departure of the President.

“This is a step under the banner of change,” Mr Mussa said in an interview with Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television.

“A return to what was before January 25 is not on the table,” he said, referring to the start of eight straight days of protests.

“We must move forward in a peaceful and civilised manner,” he said, adding: “Dialogue is necessary.”