Presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei is convinced the end of terrorism in the region is contingent upon spreading democracy in all Middle Eastern countries.‎
    
‎“A while back I met with [Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign ‎Relations] John Kerry and I said to him that the budget allocated by the US for fighting terrorism is such a ‎waste of money,” ElBaradei told a press conference on Thursday. ‎

‎“I believe terrorism will disappear in the region only when nations are led by real ‎democratic regimes.”‎

Turmoil has been widespread in the region which has been witnessing a series of ‎revolutions of late.‎

Tunisia was the first to see off its president as tyrant Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled ‎the country on 14 January, following an uprising that lasted for around a month.‎

Egyptians were soon inspired by the Tunisians to stage the 25-January Revolution that saw ‎Hosni Mubarak toppled on 11 February.‎

Other revolts erupted later in Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Syria, among other countries in ‎the region.‎