Mubarak: I reject imprisonment of journalists

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak yesterday said he is against the imprisonment of journalists despite the excesses and misconduct by some of them.

In statements to "Al-Mesaa" newspaper of Tuesday, President Mubarak said Egypt is in need of an objective press whose criticism is constructive.

He further said that the press should refrain from insults and fabricated stories. President Mubarak has demanded to deletion of Article 303 of the Criminal Law which entails imprisonment in financial integrity libel cases. Article 303 has boiled down to imposing fines, president Mubarak told Al-Mesaa Chief Editor.