Mohamed ElBaradei is now the favourite to lead a transitional government in Egypt after Mohammed Morsi was removed from office by the military.

Mr ElBaradei, 71, is coordinator of the main alliance of liberal and left-wing parties and youth groups, known as the National Salvation Front.

It was formed late last year after Mr Morsi granted himself sweeping powers in a constitutional declaration.

Speaking to the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen, Mr ElBaradei defended the army's intervention.

"The other option was civil war," he said. "We were between a rock and a hard place."

He described the manner of Mr Morsi's removal as "a hiccup".

"Unfortunately we had to go though this hiccup, but I am very determined that hopefully we'll get it right," he said.