BAKU, Rajab 28, 1434, Jun 7, 2013, SPA -- An Oscar-winning screenwriter said on Friday that he would challenge President Ilham Aliyev's decade-long rule over Azerbaijan in October elections, if the opposition names him as their candidate, Reuters reported. Rustam Ibragimbekov's popularity would add a dash of uncertainty to polls, which are widely expected to be won by Aliyev, 51, who succeed his father in 2003 and won nearly 90 percent of the vote five years ago. The screenwriter last week launched an opposition coalition, the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF), which brings together Aliyev's foes under one flag to challenge him in the election. He was chosen on Friday to lead the group. Azeris are proud of Ibragimbekov, who co-wrote the 1994 Academy Award-winning best foreign language film "Burnt by the Sun" with Nikita Mikhalkov. But while he will likely win protest votes, analysts said it would not be enough to topple Aliyev. -- SPA 19:41 LOCAL TIME 16:41 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1118068