Cairo, June 21 (RHC)-- The results of Egypt's presidential run-off have been delayed by the election authorities, further raising tension across the polarised country.  Results had been due to be announced on Thursday, but the election commission said it needed more time to look into complaints presented by the candidates.

The Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Mursi and former prime minister under the regime of ex-president Hosni Mubarak, Ahmed Shafiq, both claim they won last weekend's run-off vote.

Thousands of opposition supporters are protesting in Cairo's Tahrir Square.  They gathered to demonstrate against the delay in announcing the poll results and also against the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces -- the military council that has led the country since Mubarak was ousted last year.

The Muslim Brotherhood called people into the square to voice their outrage over recent constitutional amendments which gave the military sweeping political and legislative powers.

Observers in Egypt say that there is speculation that if the Muslim Brotherhood has won the election, there are doubts over whether the authorities would allow them to take power after fighting them for so many decades.  And there is increasing concern that the election results could be rigged or cancelled all together.

Meanwhile, 84-year-old Mubarak remains in critical condition at an army hospital in Cairo.  He is said to have had a series of strokes and to be on a life-support machine, but there has been no official word on his condition.  Earlier this month, Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the death of protesters during last year's uprising against his regime.

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