Islamists defiant in Cairo protest

Thousands of people rallied in Cairo yesterday in support of an ultraconservative Islamist presidential hopeful who may be disqualified after it was announced that his mother was an American citizen.

Hazem Abu Ismail’s supporters marched to the capital’s Tahrir Square, a focal point for protests. His campaign chief Gamal Saber claims the country’s military rulers are looking for ways to disqualify him.

If Abu Ismail cannot run, Muslim Brotherhood candidate Khairat el-Shater would lose his main competitor for the Islamist vote.