Former MB leader in Egypt backed by youth

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CAIRO, May 1 (UPI) -- Political groups consolidated around the spirit of the Egyptian revolution said they endorsed a former Muslim Brotherhood leader for president.

The Coalition of the Youth of the Revolution, an umbrella group representing those who took part in the 2011 revolution, said they supported the candidacy of Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh, running as an independent Islamist, reports Egyptian news service al-Ahram.

The Muslim Brotherhood last year stripped membership from the leader, saying his decision to run for president violated the group's decision to not field a candidate. The Islamist movement, organized politically under the Freedom and Justice Party, reversed course and fielded two candidates for president.

FJP leader Mohamed Morsi was cleared to run last week, though Khairat al-Shater, a top Muslim Brotherhood leader, was barred because of a criminal record.

Egyptians have expressed frustration with the pace of reforms following last year's revolution. Military authorities in control over the government had promised to hand power over to civilians by June 2011.

Campaigning for the Egyptian presidency began this week. Elections take place May 23-24.