Sorour reelected as speaker of the Egyptian parliament
Egypt, Politics, 11/13/1998

The Egyptian parliament on Wednesday unanimously reelected Fathi Sorour as its chairman for the 9th successive session. A matter which is viewed as unprecedented in the history of the Egyptian legislative councils.

Sorour who had no competition from any candidate won voices of the opposition for the first time.

In a speech he delivered he pledged to "honor the constitution in text and spirit, implementing democracy and the principles of self-expression as well as cooperation with the government on the ground of the unity of national interests."

However, a sudden crisis erupted on Wednesday in the first session of the Egyptian parliament between the Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri and several parliament members from the ruling party, who for several times interrupted him on the way certain peasants causes are being treated. The meeting was resumed following the intervention of the minister of the Parliament's affairs Kamal al-Chazli.

Moreover, opposition parliamentarians demanded the government to cooperate with the parliament in discussing inquiries and not to postpone them so as the parliamentarians will be able to practice their auditing and inspection role. The representative of the " leftist coalition bloc" Khaled Muheyeddine had criticized "the speed in which legislation have been discussed and approved." He called upon the parliament to hurry in enacting laws.

The current session of the parliament will renew by the mid of next year the nomination of President Mubarak for a new Presidential session which will last for six years.

Previous Stories:
  Arab - Israeli parliamentarians accuses Natenyahu of obstructing agreement   (10/17/1998)
  Srour heads Egyptian delegation to international parliament in Moscow   (8/7/1998)
  Sons of Egyptian women may get Egyptian citizenship!   (1/29/1998)

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