ElBaradei says he'll appear on state TV

CAIRO, June 15 (UPI) -- Egyptian reform leader Mohamed ElBaradei announced the country's state broadcaster had backed away from a decision barring his appearance.

ElBaradei under the regime of Hosni Mubarak was barred from appearing on television broadcasts. The former chief of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency and Nobel Peace Prize laureate was to appear Thursday on a show alongside Islamic preacher Amr Khaled.

ElBaradei via his Twitter account earlier said the latest ban was a continuation of the "policy of censure."

Egyptian daily newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm reports supporters had threatened to stage a protest in front of the state television building but it appears the Egyptian diplomat will appear as scheduled.

"I'm grateful to the youth who sent a strong message to Egyptian Television, which is financed by the people, that a revolution has taken place and freedom of expression is guaranteed for everyone," ElBaradei was quoted as saying.

ElBaradei and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa are leading contenders for presidential elections later this year.

Cairo announced Wednesday that it was lifting a curfew in place since January.