n Egypt, state of emergency is due to expire at midnight today, after 31 years in force. It has been in place without interruption since the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981. The law gave authorities extensive powers including the right to detain people indefinitely without charge, prohibit protests and censor the media. 

Campaigners have long argued for it to be lifted, but some fear Egypt will be left in a vacuum without it. However the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces issued a statement to reassure the country that it will "continue to carry its national responsibility in protecting the country until the transfer of power is over".

Meanwhile, Egypt is preparing for a run-off vote in the presidential elections which will be held on 16 -17 June. The two contenders are the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Mursi and former air force commander Ahmed Shafiq, who was President Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister.

In East Timor voting in a presidential runoff ended today. The winner will replace outgoing president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta, who ran third in the first round of presidential balloting. The first-round vote leader was Francisco Guterres. He predicted victory and promised to work to bring prosperity to Asia's newest and poorest country. Challenging him is Taur Matan Ruak, who has made a call for universal military service a centerpiece of his campaign. Today's voting was generally free of the violence.