Egyptian Ends Hunger Strike

Detained Egyptian opposition leader Ayman Nour ended a hunger strike Saturday after President Hosni Mubarak announced proposals to allow multi-candidate presidential elections, his wife said.

Nour called the amendment “an important step toward the party’s and the Egyptian people’s demand for extensive constitutional reform,” said his wife, Gamila Ismail.

Nour, who began the hunger strike Tuesday, was detained in January for questioning about allegations that his Tomorrow Party submitted forged documents in its application for recognition last year. He was remanded for 45 days.

His supporters said the allegations were false and that he was being punished for advocating radical political change.