Egypt: Parliament, government vow to continue reforms,democracy

The Egyptian Parliament on Wednesday renewed Speaker Fathi Srour for the parliament's 10th session unanimously. Srour pledged to carry out tough control measures to withstand "corruption."

On Wednesday the Egyptian parliament opened its 10th session, which witnesses exchanged confirmations from the speaker of the parliamentand from Prime Minister Atef Ebeid to maintain full cooperation in order to complete the economic liberalization program.

Meanwhile, in his first speech since he was elected as prime minister at the beginning of last month, Ebeid pledged to commit to "dialogue with the opposition and the majority and to appreciate the national role played by the opposition."

He asserted that the government will seek to "attract more voices on matters concerning the country from the majority (those who stand with the government) and the opposition."

Asserting the reconciliation between the government and the representatives of the ruling National Party, Ebeid asserted "full respect to the parliamentarians and giving interest to what they ask for in their debates so as to renew people's confidence entrusted in their representatives at the parliament."

Last year and at the opening of the inaugural session the parliament witnessed a crisis between the representatives of the ruling party and former Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri, due to what had been called by the parliament members Ganzouri's tough attitude in dealing with their memorandums and the demands raised by citizens.

The speaker of the parliament welcomed the government's inclination and commended the "bright page" the government opens with the Cabinet, which shows "a high sense of political and constitutional responsibility." He asserted cooperation with the government to complete economic reform legislation.