Al-Gomhuria: Mubarak to run for presidency

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak is to announce within hours his willingness to run for the presidential elections, Al-Gomhuria learned.

Members of the National Democratic Party (NDP) general congress in various governorates and the party's general secretariat are to hold meetings Thursday to elect the party's candidate through a direct secret ballot.

The NDP's political bureau will hold a meeting Thursday evening to endorse the elected candidate of the party after receiving results of general congress meetings.

Some parties have already announced names of their candidates for the presidential race.

They are Ahmad Al-Sabahi, head of the Ummah Party, Osama Shaltoot, head of Al-Takaful (solidarity) Party, Waheed Al- Oksori, head of Misr Al-Arabi Al-Ishtiraki Party (Misr Arab Socialist Party), Ayman Nour, head of Al-Ghad (tomorrow) Party, Mamdouh Qenawi, head of the Al-Dostouri (constitutional) Party and Helmi Salem, head of Al-Ahrar (Liberals) Party.

The presidential election commission starts Friday receiving nomination applications for one week.

Presidential elections will be held on Wednesday,September 7.