Egyptians divided over Shafik ruling

Supporters of Egyptian presidential candidate Ahmed Shafik celebrate on Thursday after he gets the green light to take part in the second round runoff.

Egypt's constitutional court ruled against a law that would have thrown him out of the race due to his close links with ousted former President Hosni Mubarak.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SHAFIK SUPPORTER MAJDI EL SHEIKH:

"I consider this to be a historic ruling which had made all Egyptians happy because through this we have raised the profile of the Egyptian judicial system which is known for having transparency. No one is above the law."

But many Egyptians were outraged by the ruling.

Shafik was appointed as prime minster by Mubarak during the uprising, and he also has close links with the ruling Military Council.

Protesters outside the constitutional court rejected the ruling.

(SOUNDBIE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN PROTESTER MOHAMED HUSSEIN:

"By what logic can we return to the tyrannical old regime? Where is the justice in that? We had a revolution and no revolution in the world brings back a tyrannical regime. This Military Council wants to bring back the old regime, and they want us to return back to being subservient. We will not go back to being subservient. We will continue to struggle, and to struggle against Ahmed Shafik, and we will go on. God willing."

The presidential vote that pits Shafik against the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsy will take place on June 16th and 17th.

Simon Hanna, Reuters.