The son of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has taken centre stage at the ruling NPD party's annual congress, demanding greater political freedom, legal reform and women's rights. Speaking at the start of the National Democratic Party's three-day event, seen by some observers as part of efforts to groom him for leadership, Gamal Mubarak called for "modernisation" of both the country's legislature and administration.
| I'm not sure modern systems of governance include a hereditary presidency... |
"We want political parties to play a more dynamic role," he said, advocating legal reforms "to lift the obstacles that hinder their action ... a big step in developing political life in Egypt."
| Does that mean they're going to stop busting heads? |
The 40-year-old younger son of the Egyptian leader, who also heads an NDP policy-making body, called for the "modernisation of trade union laws and a strengthened role for civil institutions." Legal reforms should include the penal code, to "guarantee human rights" and end "sexual discrimination," he said. He also advocated "a new pact between the state and the citizen" to allow people to play a greater role in "political participation".
| Other than the right to form mobs? |
In a statement to the congress, President Mubarak further stressed that his party was determined to pursue "political and economic reform". He promised to "lay the foundations of a multi-party politics, in which the NDP ... will be one of the pillars". In the message read by Information Minister and party secretary general Safwat al-Sherif, said, "the rights of citizens are a priority (for the NPD and the government) and closely linked to democratisation."
| I always find any government with an information minister suspect, for some reason... |
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