Son of Egyptian leader rules out accession bid

GAMAL MUBARAK, the youngest son of Egypt’s president, has said he has no desire to run for the presidency next year.

“No matter what people think, I have no personal ambition,” he stated in a television interview. He said that his goal is to continue working in the public arena and to promote reform. “I want to help the party’s candidate to fulfil his programme.” Mr Mubarak (46) is a former businessman who took over the chairmanship of the policy committee of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP).

Speculation has been rife over Mr Mubarak’s future since NDP supporters circulated a petition calling for his nomination and put up posters in Egypt’s major cities urging voters to cast ballots for him.

The NDP is divided over the choice of a successor to President Hosni Mubarak (82), who has been in power since 1981. Last month, a senior party official attempted to put an end to speculation when he announced the president would seek a sixth term. So far, he has not declared his intention. The NDP is certain to win an overwhelming majority in the popular assembly when Egyptians go to the polls on November 28th. An NDP victory is expected to set the stage for the presidential poll.