Egypt's ruling army council approved a law that bans Hosni Mubarak-era officials from running for the presidency, the state newspaper Al-Ahram said on Tuesday, a move that excludes former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq from running.

A copy of the law published on Al-Ahram's website said it was effective from April 24 and showed the law had been printed in the official gazette, confirming that the legislation drafted by parliament this month had been approved by the ruling generals.

The law denies political rights to anyone who served as president, vice president or prime minister in the decade prior to Mubarak's removal from power on Feb. 11, 2011. It also applies to anyone who served in top posts in the ruling party. – Reuters