ElBaradei Plans To Run For Egyptian President

Mohamed ElBaradei

Mohamed ElBaradei has announced plans to run for president of Egypt, but he's also calling for deeper democratic reforms.

In an interview with an Egyptian television channel, the Nobel laureate and former head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency called for the drafting of a new constitution to put democracy on a solid basis in Egypt.

ElBaradei said constitutional amendments that will be voted on in a March 19 referendum are insufficient.

ElBaradei's comments come after officials said 13 people were killed and 140 others injured a surge of sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims.

The violence in Cairo on March 8 has been described as the most serious outbreak of sectarian strife since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power on February 11 in a mass uprising against his rule.

compiled from agency reports