Egypt court rules actor is father of baby girl

Cairo: An Egyptian court has ruled that a popular actor was the biological father of a baby who resulted from a secret marriage, raising hopes for thousands of children of unknown patronage, according to experts.

The Cairo Appeals Court on Wednesday upheld a lawsuit filed by interior designer Hind Al Henawy that Ahmad Al Feshawy is the father of her two-year-old child. The ruling capped an unprecedented legal tug-of-war, which riveted the nation's attention for more than two years.

"I am happy at this bold ruling because it does justice to the innocent baby," Huda Badran, Chairperson of the Arab Women's Association, told Gulf News.

Al Henawy sued Al Feshawy in 2004, saying the two had an informal marriage that resulted in the birth of Leena. Without official recognition, Al Henawy was unable to get a birth certificate for the girl.