Egypt has held its first-ever live debate between presidential candidates.

It featured the two expected front-runners in the presidential vote later this month - former Arab League head Amr Moussa and moderate Islamist Abdul Moneim Aboul Fotouh.

Millions of Egyptians tuned into the lengthy debate, broadcast on two popular private TV networks.

The first round of voting is on 23-24 May. If no-one has an absolute majority a run-off will be held in June.

It is hoped that this will be Egypt's first free and fair election for the presidency.

Several opinion polls suggest that Mr Moussa and Mr Aboul Fotouh are leading the race.

Already, that has led them to attack each other on the campaign trail.

As the TV debate got under way, Amr Moussa attacked the record of his rival as a former leading member of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood.

Mr Aboul Fotouh, on the other hand, called the former foreign minister a remnant of the ousted regime.

Egypt has held its first-ever live debate between presidential candidates.

It featured the two expected front-runners in the presidential vote later this month - former Arab League head Amr Moussa and moderate Islamist Abdul Moneim Aboul Fotouh.

Millions of Egyptians tuned into the lengthy debate, broadcast on two popular private TV networks.

The first round of voting is on 23-24 May. If no-one has an absolute majority a run-off will be held in June.

It is hoped that this will be Egypt's first free and fair election for the presidency.

Several opinion polls suggest that Mr Moussa and Mr Aboul Fotouh are leading the race.

Already, that has led them to attack each other on the campaign trail.

As the TV debate got under way, Amr Moussa attacked the record of his rival as a former leading member of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood.

Mr Aboul Fotouh, on the other hand, called the former foreign minister a remnant of the ousted regime.

Source;bbc