Egypt enjoys full democracy under Mubarak

Speaking at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Atef Ebeid Sunday said that Egypt enjoys full democracy under President Hosni Mubarak and the political reform process continues.

"Democracy," the Prime Minister said, "takes the form of providing and safeguarding all freedoms such as the freedom of expression, the right of criticism, movement and the movement of capital and investment." "One of the trends of political practice is to respect the beliefs of others and the freedom of having different opinions," he further added.

When asked about stopping the signing of decisions banning building on agricultural land in accordance with a military order, the Prime Minister said building on agricultural land was banned under the law.

"The aim of stopping to sign military orders is not to impose the imprisonment punishment. The law banning building on agricultural land shall continue in force until a legislation, which is being drafted at present, is issued," he expounded.

"If we are going to issue military orders in every sphere, then there is no need for a law," he said, explaining that the new legislation bans building on agricultural land.

Referring to national mega projects in Toshka and other areas, the Premier said there is no going-back on carrying our national projects. "State committed, allocations available," he stressed.

"Nobody can retract on carrying out national projects at Toshka, Central Sinai, the East branch and north of the Gulf of Suez. The state is committed to continue these projects for which allocations have been provided," he said.

"The government has allocated 13 billion pounds for the investment plan," the Prime Minister said in press statements he made Sunday at the premises of the Council of Ministers.

"Alterations made in the north of Suez project and the pivotal port, are related to utilities only so that execution may be related to demand and use," he added As regards the iron project at Aswan, the Prime Minister said that the Prosecution will complete this issue within a week.