ElBaradei candidacy gaining momentum?

CAIRO, March 23 (UPI) -- Supporters of a political role for Egyptian diplomat Mohamed ElBaradei said Tuesday they would meet him to discuss plans for his political future in Cairo.

ElBaradei, the former head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, returned to Cairo in February. His return added fuel to speculation he would challenge Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in a 2011 presidential contest.

Abdel Monem Imam, an organizer for the Members of the Popular Campaign to support Mohamed ElBaradei, will meet the Nobel Peace Prize recipient next week to discuss their action plan for his campaign, Egypt's Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper reports.

ElBaradei said he would consider running for president if certain constitutional reforms were enacted. He would need the backing of 250 representatives of the ruling National Democratic Party to run as an independent.

Imam said they would likely have strategy meetings at ElBaradei's home to avoid confrontations with Egyptian security forces.

He added a petition for ElBaradei's candidacy was signed by 9,000 people.

Mubarak, who was elected president first in 1981, hasn't indicated whether he would seek another term. It is widely believed his is grooming his son Gamal for the position.