Mubarak wants governors to interact with public on problems

At a meeting with newly-appointed Egyptian governors after their swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Palace Monday morning, which was attended by Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, and Chief of the Presidential Palace Zakaria Azmi,, President Mubarak said "Egypt would press ahead with its decentralization policies."

The government noted that Mubarak said that "a most of important part a governor's job is to communicate and interact with the public, resolve their problems and work on improving services."

Mubarak was reporting saying " the main challenge in the upcoming stage is to contain unemployment and provide job opportunities for youth. .(and) the need for taking into account the considerations of the social fabric of the people. He highlighted the importance of providing women and youth with the opportunity of exercising their rights and participating in society."

Mubarak focused on social unity stressing "the need to preserve it and underlining that Muslims and Copts represent one and the same social fabric. He said governors should understand that all Egyptians, whether Muslims or Copts, must be treated on equal footing."

Mubarak's Presidential Spokesman Suleiman Awwad said that "Mubarak was keen on encouraging the private sector and attracting more investments. He also promised to work for implementing his election promise of building 1,000 factories nationwide during his current term in office."