The leader of Egypt's new political party said he would run for president in the September elections. Mamdouh Qinawi, leader of the Free Social Constitutional Party, said in a press conference he would launch his election campaign soon and promised to guarantee Egyptians their political rights and a better social and economic environment. He said he hoped all the candidates would be given equal opportunities by the media to highlight their manifestoes.The Social Constitutional Party became Egypt's 19th recognized party after it was approved by the Political Parties Committee (PPC), an affiliate of the Shoura Council, last year. Only 11 of the 19 recognized political parties obtained their licenses after challenging an initial refusal from the PPC through Egypt's judicial system. Three parties were formed in 1977 and four were authorized by the committee. The PPC has refused to extend official recognition to 63 parties. Meanwhile, the Shoura Council, Egypt's upper house of Parliament, approved an amendment to the constitution to allow multi-candidate presidential elections.