Sherif: Egypt rejects interference in its affairs; opposition unite

National Democratic Party Secretary- General, Safwat el-Sherif, affirmed yesterday that the reform in Egypt is a purely Egyptian process reform led by President Mubarak.

El Sherif pointed out, at the ceremony held by the NDP's Youth Secretariat in cooperation with the Scientific Research Academy, that Egypt rejects any intimation or threatening to interfere in its internal affairs. "We live in a march led by a patriotic leader who led the October War and leads, and now leads a march towards development with many achievements," he noted, indicating that change is not just a leap into the unknown, nor is it a revolution against existing reality.

"Change is rather an ability to steer it towards what is best for the interest and stability of the homeland and compatriots. He added that Egypt is the ownership of all Egyptians and that we are all partners to this homeland and we all adhere to its interests, ethics and morals.

"We seek to achieve wider democracy and more pluralism. The increase of political parties from 12 parties to 21 in 8 months is the best evidence to this endeavour."

El-Sherif stated that President Mubarak is keen on starting a stronger march towards the future with the president elected by direct secret ballot.

He added that by "initiating the amendment of Article 76 of Constitution, President Mubarak gave the opportunity for the people, for the first time, to choose their president through direct secret ballot in a multi-candidate election."

Meantime, a report by the New York Times yesterday said that all the oppostion movements in Egypt Opposition from across political spectrum joined in opposition to President Mubarak and called for a boycott of the September presidential vote.