Egypt army aims to keep centre ground in politics

The constitutional court's decision on Thursday to invalidate parliament on the grounds that a third of its members were elected illegally was a blow for Islamists, who currently dominate the house but stand to lose ground in any new election.

The court also cleared the way for the presidential candidacy of Ahmed Shafiq, the last prime minister to serve under ousted president Hosni Mubarak.

Shafiq, a former air force general, is reportedly close to the military's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.