Thousands Protest In Cairo Against Mubarak-Era Candidates

Then Vice President Omar Suleiman announced Hosni Mubarak's departure in February 2011.

Thousands of Egyptians have taken to central Cairo in support of a legislation that bans former top officials from the regime of Hosni Mubarak from running for president.

Reports said participants were supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, ultraconservative Salafists, and other Islamists.

The legislation, passed on April 12 by the Islamist-dominated parliament, is subject to approval by the military council which has been running the country since Mubarak was toppled.

The move came after Omar Suleiman, Mubarak's former vice president and chief of intelligence, launched his bid to become the country's next head of state.

The ruling military council is due to hand power to an elected president in July.

The presidential election is due to get under way in May.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP