President Mubarak Announces Re-Election Run in Egypt

SHIBIN EL-KOM, Egypt – Days after Egypt’s deadliest terror attack, President Mubarak made the long expected announcement yesterday that he will run for re-election, promising new anti-terror laws and calling for a summit of Arab leaders in battered Sharm el-Sheik.A key American ally, Mr. Mubarak will face an election opponent in the September vote for the first time in a quarter-century in office. He made a splashy start to his campaign with a nationally televised address surrounded by supporters cheering and reciting poetry in his honor.The 77-year-old leader presented himself as Egypt’s protector from instability and a proponent of reform, pledging further democratic change – a promise his opponents quickly derided.The call for an Arab summit next week in Sharm el-Sheik – the Red Sea resort rocked by terror attacks that killed dozens – aimed to signal a strong hand in the face of bombings many Egyptians fear mean a new wave of militant violence and damage to an ailing economy.The summit will deal with the Palestinian-Israeli crisis, Iraq, and the “many challenges that might drive the region to dangerous paths,” Mr. Mubarak said.He vowed to continue “our battle against terrorism and the threat it represents to people and Egypt’s future … never relinquishing the nation’s security and stability.”Mr. Mubarak looked fit and smiled often during the speech at the secondary school he graduated from in 1946 in the Nile Delta town of Shebin el-Kom.Mr. Mubarak is expected to easily win a fifth six-year term in the September 7 election, which comes after years of referendums in which he was the only candidate. This year he ordered the constitution amended to allow opponents in the presidential race for the first time in Egypt’s modern history, touting it as a major reform.He faces unprecedented pressure for change from America and increasingly vocal opposition protests. Opposition parties have dismissed the open election as a sham and most have said they won’t field candidates. So far, only one significant figure -the head of the Al-Ghad party, Ayman Nour – has said he will run.In his speech, Mr. Mubarak promised to end emergency laws put in place after the 1981 assassination of his predecessor, Anwar Sadat. He said he would replace them with anti-terror legislation designed to “besiege terrorism, uproot it and drain its resources.”The move was a nod to longtime opposition demands for an end to the state of emergency while depicting Mr. Mubarak as tough on militants.Mr. Mubarak has long defended the emergency laws as necessary to fight terrorism. But political activists and human rights groups said they are used much more widely, granting authorities broad powers to detain people for extended periods without charges and bring civilians before military courts.Mr. Mubarak promised further change in the constitution and reform legislation.Mr. Nour slammed the promises, saying Mr. Mubarak should have immediately abolished emergency laws and that the president lacks credibility when talking about reform.Mr. Mubarak’s nomination was approved by leading members of his ruling National Democratic Party, said a party leader, Mohammed Kamal.

President Mubarak Announces Re-Election Run in Egypt

President Mubarak Announces Re-Election Run in Egypt

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