Egypt's Nour released from jail

Mr Nour made an unprecedented bid to replace the long-serving Hosni Mubarak

Egyptian authorities have released opposition figure Ayman Nour after three years in jail on what he said were politically motivated charges.

The US, Egypt's close ally and major aid donor, took great interest in the Nour case and described his conviction as a miscarriage of justice.

Mr Nour came a distant second to the incumbent Hosni Mubarak in the 2005 presidential election.

The following year he was jailed for five years for electoral forgery.

Speaking to AFP news agency, a judiciary official said Egypt's public prosecutor had decided to free Mr Nour on health grounds.

Mr Nour told Reuters news agency by telephone from his home: "I am going to practise my role as a politician through the Ghad party and through my previous role."