Egyptian military personnel. Photo: wiki commons.

LA Times – Egyptians began voting today in a historic election to replace deposed leader Hosni Mubarak with a new president to free the nation from military rule, economic turmoil, rising crime and frustrations that the uprising that inspired rebellions across the Arab world has not lived up to its ideals.

Long lines stretched from polling stations in Alexandria, Cairo, Suez and in the vast southern deserts. Egyptians were choosing among 13 candidates to move beyond the authoritarian rule that most of the population of 82 million was born into. Umbrellas popped up to block the sun as voters waited to cast ballots amid soldiers and police.

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