Gamal Mubarak's presidential ambitions

During a lengthy address at the National Democratic Party’s annual conference in Cairo, Gamal Mubarak, son of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, stressed the absolute role of Arab values in shaping the politics of the Middle East, without the need for external intervention. The remark was seen as a rejection of US aspirations to establish Western style democracy in the region.

Although President Mubarak has renounced any claims that his son will succeed him as president, the younger Mubarak’s efforts to establish himself as an important political force intimate his ambitions to become the next Egyptian leader.

Mr. Mubarak’s statement that Egypt should develop nuclear weapons was met with strong applause at the conference.

For full story, see the Institute on Religion and Public Policy News Update, September 20, 2006