Egypt refuses international election monitors
Egypt's military rulers refuse to allow international election monitors to observe upcoming parlimentary elections. - The decision, which is part of a new election law approved by the country's ruling generals, was swiftly criticized by activists who said it raises questions about the transparency of the first elections after the ousting of Hosni Mubarak and urged the military to reconsider. Major General Mamdouh Shaheen, who presented the new law to reporters on Wednesday, said barring foreign monitors was a necessary step to protect Egypt's sovereignty. "We have nothing to hide," he said, adding that "we reject anything that affects our sovereignty." Egyptian election monitors will observe the process instead, he said.