First-ever televised presidential debate to be broadcast in Egypt

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.