"The Military Council is totally ready to hand over power immediately and return to its original job protecting the people, if the people want that in a referendum, " Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the head of the usually secretive Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, said on state television.

WSJ: Egypt Heads for Showdown

Shia, such as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's State of Law coalition, the Islamic Supreme Council led by cleric Ammar al-Hakim and the Sadrist Movement led by radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.

BBC: Q&A: Iraqi provincial elections

The Council of State ruled on Tuesday that her election by the Supreme Court was invalid because there were not enough judges present when the vote took place.

BBC: Colombia chief prosecutor Viviane Morales resigns