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Al-Ahram Weekly 3 - 9 June 1999 Issue No. 432 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 3 - 9 June 1999 Issue No. 432
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Interview Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters
Industrial mega-projects have been a prominent characteristic of President Mubarak's vision, reflecting Egypt's determination to translate development aspirations into practical realities
A new century, a new term
By Gamal Essam El-DinPresident Hosni Mubarak agreed last night to a People's Assembly resolution nominating him for a fourth six-year term, which will begin on 13 October. The nomination was conveyed to Mubarak at the presidential palace in Heliopolis by a parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour. Mubarak said he was duty-bound to accept the nomination, and determined to lead the nation as it faces the challenges of the 21st century. He pledged to do his best to preserve the nation's security and uphold justice and the supremacy of law. The nomination will have to be approved by the people in a nationwide referendum.
Mubarak was expected to meet today with members of the Shura Council -- an upper house with no legislative powers -- to express appreciation for their recommendation last week that he be nominated for a new term.
Mubarak's acceptance followed a special session of the People's Assembly, in which it endorsed the nomination by a sweeping majority. The legislators were required to vote "yes" or "no" in writing and then put the ballot cards in sealed boxes. Parliamentarians expected the vote count to stand around 445, out of the Assembly's 454 members.
Sorour later read out the text of the Assembly's resolution, nominating Mubarak for a fresh term in recognition of his "wise leadership and efficient management of the nation's progress".
The delegation then drove to the Heliopolis presidential palace, to inform Mubarak of the nomination and ask him to accept it.
The special Assembly sitting had begun at 6.30pm, with Sorour reading out a motion, signed by 445 deputies, in favour of the nomination. Under the Constitution, a candidate for the presidency must be nominated by at least one third of the Assembly's 454 deputies. The nomination must be approved by a two-thirds majority before it is endorsed by referendum.
More than 180 deputies asked Sorour to give them the floor to declare support for the nomination.
Ahmed Abu Zeid, leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) majority, was the first to address the Assembly. He said the overwhelming support for Mubarak was motivated by his great political and economic achievements. "When the people declare that they want Mubarak to remain in office, they are affirming that his great achievements for the nation should continue. He has proved himself to be the only man capable of leading Egypt in many difficult situations," Abu Zeid said.
Khaled Mohieddin, leader of the left-wing Tagammu Party, said that although he has reservations about Mubarak's economic reform programme, he concedes that the president has proved to be an efficient national leader. "He has managed to foster Egypt's ties with the Arab world, maintain good relations with the outside world and steer Egypt away from military adventures," he said. The Tagammu, which had opposed past nominations, decided last week to abstain from voting.
Mubarak, who was vice-president under the late President Anwar El-Sadat, acceded to power following Sadat's assassination in October 1981. As an air force commander during the 1973 War, Mubarak orchestrated a surprise air strike against Israeli forces in the then occupied Sinai desert that was described as the key to Egypt's victory.
