Mubarak wants presidency, promises to review emergency law
Egypt, Politics, 7/29/2005

The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said that his nomination for a fifth term of office came at his desire to complete his reform program and in response to the principles and values he believes in, rather the personal ambition to have a post.

In a speech in al-Manofeyah governorate, Mubarak said that the current elections law guarantees transparency, while the Egyptian opposition criticizes the law and considers it as narrowing opportunities for its candidates, and serves only the ruling party.

The Egyptian president also promised that if he wins the fifth term of office to review the emergency law imposed on the country since 25 years, and simultaneously to ensure fighting of terrorism.

The Egyptian opposition has for long demanded an end to the emergency law because it stifles political life and only serves the ruling national party, as they alleged.

Mubarak's announcement to nominate himself for a fifth term of office came in a lengthy speech before hundreds of supporters of the ruling party in which he reviewed points of his life with concentration on his military life and the battles he fought as an officer in the Egyptian army against the Israeli army.

Mubarak, 77 years old, also called for a special Arab summit next Tuesday in Sharm al-Sheikh in order to take a common stand concerning "risks and challenges facing the Arab nation." The general coordinator of the opposition Kefeyah movement George Ishaq considered in a statement to al-Jazeera TV that Mubarak's talks on completing reforms is an old promise that was not met.

Ishaq said that Kefaya movement will once again ask the Egyptian judiciary to nullify the results of the referendum on amending the constitution which was carried out in May, backed by opinions of several "honest" judges. He considered that the coming September elections will be built on results of an unlawful referendum and "what is built on a unlawful base is istelf unlawful," as he alleged.

Mubarak said "I will seek to win the trust and support of the people for a new term," and proposed replacing the country's emergency laws, which have been in place since 1981 with new legislation to "combat terrorism." An anti-terrorism law should replace emergency law, he said.

"Other changes would reduce the powers of the president and strengthen the role of the cabinet," he added.

Previous Stories:
  Italian Ambassador in Cairo: Sharm el-Sheikh, city of peace   (7/28/2005)
  Mubarak says regional conditions are dire   (7/28/2005)
  Dates are contradictory on Mubarak's announcement on running for president   (7/28/2005)

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