EGYPT: Mubarak warns opposition against 'gambling' with Egypt's stability

 

While he welcomed spirited political debate over Egypt's future, President Hosni Mubarak warned a new and growing opposition movement not to jeopardize the nation's stability.

Addressing Egyptians for the first time since the removal of his gallbladder of his gallbladder in Germany last month, the 81-year-old leader stressed Saturday that rising political awareness was a sign of what he called  unprecedented freedom of opinion, expression and the press. 

"I sincerely welcome the interplay in the society as long as it abides by laws and the constitution and is intended to realize the interest of Egypt," Mubarak said in a televised speech on the 28th memory of Israel's complete withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula. "This interaction should not turn into a conflict or a confrontation and we have to be aware of such a turn."

Egypt's political climate -- suffering from stagnation and repression for more than three decades -- was brought to life following the recent return of potential presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency.

The Noble Peace Prize laureate formed the National Front for Change to gather opposition movements around forcing constitutional reforms to make it easier for independent candidates to challenge the ruling National Democratic Party's nominee in the 2011 presidential elections.

Inspired by ElBaradei's efforts, hundreds of activists have taken his demands to the streets through demonstrations on April 6 and April 13. The earlier protest resulted in police beatings and arrest of about 90 demonstrators. The Egyptian government has long been criticized by human rights groups for torture and crushing political dissent.     

Mubarak pledged on Saturday that parliamentary elections in October and the 2011 presidential elections would be fair. "I wish to reaffirm my commitment to the integrity of these elections, and I welcome every national and sincere effort that proposes a view or solutions to the issues and problems of our nation, and does not gamble with its security, stability and future," he said.

Mubarak, who has been ruling Egypt since 1981, is yet to reveal whether he will seek reelection. Many believe he will step aside and back his son, Gamal, a leading member of the NDP.

-- Amro Hassan in Cairo

Photo: President Hosni Mubarak speaking on Egyptian TV on Saturday. Credit: AFP

Comments

[Mohajer Masry]

“Passing from a war period to a peace period”

Dear Mona,

This line of thought was used by the late president Sadat after the October war and re-opening of the Suez Canal

Now, The War with Israel ended more than 30 years ago, the world political and economical map has totally changed, we went through the fall of the USSR and the rise of EU, the rise and fall of south East Asia, the Chinese and Indian power, 9/11 and the global meltdown.

All of this and Egypt under ONE dictator in total stagnation with everything in total failure in human rights, education, health, common people prosperity, housing, agriculture, manufacturing, environmental , etc

From outside, Egypt looks like an old drug addict setting on a café for 30 years watching a busy street without any feeling of time or responsibility.

[Mona HARES]

What do you mean by armegeddon and armageddon concerning Egypt?
Have you any real practical solutions to our problems or you can only criticize and destroy? This is quite simple. The hard thing we , in Egypt , are steadily doing is constructive, continuous, change, passing from a war period to a peace period InshaAllah

[Ahmed Elfiky]

81 years old Mubarak is ruling Egypt for 30 years & he never appointed a VP. For God's sake, how dare anyone calls this democracy!!. Enough is enough. It is that simple. Egyptians have the full right to excercise thier freedom of speach & the right to choose thier ruler with full transperency. Anyone who objects to these very basic rights, isn't a loyal to Egypt.

[James Marzak]

Using the term "armegeddon" on an internet post as a way to desperate command drama. How original. Take a pill.

[Mohajer Masry]

Mubarak is beyond any help or hope to understand that Egypt is larger than him and his family, they are not the GOD given gift to Egypt.

He is the one who is clearly gambling with the stability of Egypt by insisting on an Armageddon type of confrontation with the People of Egypt in his life or with his son, he refuses to allow any hope for change.

Mohajer Masry