stepping down

in the interest of his family in the United States. Republican politicians had objected to his nomination, citing concerns about his judgment and passed allegations of

impropriety

.

With most votes counted in Egypt's presidential election, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohammed Mursi, appears to be heading for a narrow victory. His supporters are already celebrating in Tahrir Square in Cairo, although the official result is not due until Thursday. The ruling military council has

restated

its commitment to hand over power at the end of this month despite accusations from opposition groups that it staged a coup by giving itself sweeping new powers. Mona Makamebiet is on the advisory panel to the ruling military council.

"What is happening now is a potential power struggle over these years of authority between Egypt's two strongest forces. They are not new. There've been two strongest rival forces for the past 60 years. So the question is how will the Muslim Brother(hood) get along with the generals, because they seem to be wiling to get into a confrontation."

The European Union has said that there has been a tough exchange of views on the opening day of talks about Iran's nuclear program. An Iranian negotiator said the talks, which have been held in Moscow, were serious and constructive. Iran has been asked to suspend any enrichment of uranium above the level needed for a power generation. For its part, Iran wants an end to sanctions and recognition of what it says is its rights to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.