One of the leading campaigners for
democratic reform in Egypt, Mohamed ElBaradei, has condemned the recent
parliamentary elections as a "farce".

Mr ElBaradei also warned there could be violence if the authorities tried to
repress pro-reform demonstrations.

President Hosni Mubarak's National Democratic Party won about 80% of the
parliamentary seats.

Opposition parties alleged widespread fraud, while foreign government's
criticised the conduct of the polls.

"The regime must understand that it is our right to march in peaceful
demonstrations to demand change," Mr ElBaradei said in a video posted on the
internet.

He added: "If we are not allowed, the Egyptian people will have no choice but
- I hope this will not happen - there will be violence."

Mr ElBaradei, a Nobel peace laureate and former head of the UN's nuclear
watchdog, also reiterated his call for a boycott of next year's presidential
elections unless constitutional changes are made allowing independents to
stand.

After the first round of voting in the parliamentary elections handed
sweeping victories to government candidates, the two largest opposition groups,
the Muslim Brotherhood and liberal Wafd party, pulled out of the election.

The government has rejected criticism of its handling of elections as
unacceptable interference in the country's affairs.