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Egypt's military has no plans to enter upcoming elections

By the CNN Wire Staff
Egyptians protest in Cairo on May 27, 2011 against the military council's handling of the post-revolt phase.
Egyptians protest in Cairo on May 27, 2011 against the military council's handling of the post-revolt phase.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • The elections are in September
  • The military council says it wants to relinquish power to civilians
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Cairo (CNN) -- The Egyptian military, which has governed the country since the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak, will not field a candidate in the September presidential elections, a military council spokesman said Sunday.

Egyptian protesters in recent weeks have insisted the revolution is not over and have expressed frustration over the

pace and planning of reforms in the four months since Mubarak quit amid a wave of popular unrest.

Some at recent demonstrations have urged the creation of a civil presidential council to replace the military council now in charge of Egypt until democratic elections are held.

A senior Egyptian general recently told CNN that the military council is eager to relinquish power to civilian authorities.

"The army can't wait to return to its barracks and do what it does best -- protect the nation's borders," he said last month. He did not want to be named due to the sensitive nature of the topic.