Moslems and Copts are sons of one homeland
The Egyptian Minister of Information Safwat El Sherif said that President Mubarak stressed during the meeting of the national Democratic Party (NDP) several important issues as follows:
Peace Process in the Middle East
Warning against the consequences of further deterioration in the region, Mubarak urged Palestinians and Israelis to be aware of the gravity of the situation.
"It is of an immediate importance is to stop Israeli siege and starvation policy (against Palestinians) to refrain from everything that engenders resentment and fuels violence," The President said.
"The peace process is a complicated process which needs a long time so that fair and comprehensive peace is fulfilled for all peoples of the area," the President said.
Egyptians, Mislims and Copts are united
Commenting on recent temporal occurrences which some tried to interpret as events between Muslims and Copts, President Mubarak said that there were forces which wanted to interpret events according to their whims and benefit from this to weaken Egypt.
"Egyptians, Muslims and Christians are united under the Egyptian banner," President said,adding that what was committed by the said newspaper was dealt with decisively.
The religious leaderships asked that legal measures be taken against immoral action.
He pointed out that the Emergency law was not used in any matter related to the press.
The Higher Press council also played its due role.
The press syndicate took the initiative and was decisive and took all the measures to ensure that those responsible are brought to account and deterred.
President Mubarak said that press establishment, the Press Syndicate, the Higher Press Council and press establishments are capable of exercising control and protection and deal with any excesses.
Elections
As regards "the Shura council election" and-some excesses which took place during People's Assembly elections, President Mubarak said he took pride in the fact that the elections of the two council took place under full judiciary supervision.
He pointed out that the phenomenon of using money and committing acts of thuggery call for a stand and a study in order to protect the march of democracy and the right of the people to exercise the optimum method of choosing their representatives and deputies in order to have parliamentary bodies free of any pressure in their performance.
President Mubarak stressed the importance that Parties concerned should be committed to values and principles.
They should not accept any suspicious financing that is against the law.
President Mubarak said that in the light of studies, follow-up and analysis of the results of the elections of both the People's Assembly and Shura Council, he was giving the matter his attention in order to reach an election method that avoids all negative aspects and ensures that parties, individuals and deputies are committed to the interests of their country in full and in all transparency.
The president said that he has asked a legal group to probe the optimum method of laying down an electoral law that ensures choosing representatives of the people at the proper level in parliament.
It should be an electoral method that cannot be contested constitutionally and provides stability. It is the duty of all of us to place the interests of the people above everything else.
All should rely on their national conscience and appreciate their role. Deputies should play their role in the interest of the nation. This should be their first commitment," the President added.
"We are not in a hurry in seeking an optimum method. A solution is not imminent. The existing parliament will not be dissolved. We shall seek an optimum method in a year or two until we reach what we aspire," the President said, adding that an an open dialogue will be held on the electoral law that legal people propose.