CAIRO: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak took the oath of office yesterday for a fifth six-year term as leader of the Arab world’s most populous nation, after winning the country’s first contested presidential elections on September 7.
Mubarak, 77 and in power since 1981, swore the oath at a special session of parliament in the presence of visiting Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi.
Ayman Nour, Mubarak’s main rival in the elections, was the only member of parliament to remain seated during the ceremony, apparently to show his refusal to accept the official vote count, witnesses said.
Three other opposition party leaders, including presidential candidate Noman Gomaa of the liberal Wafd Party, also stayed away from the session. Opposition leaders are usually invited.
Gomaa, who came third behind Mubarak and Nour, said he had to give a lecture at a university. The other two parties, the leftist Tagammu and the Arab nationalist Nasserites, boycotted the election on the grounds that they did not have sufficient guarantees it would be fair.
The election commission said Mubarak won 89 per cent of the vote with a 23 per cent turnout. Nour of the liberal Ghad (Tomorrow) Party, second with 8 per cent, and Gomaa, who won 3 per cent, have disputed the results because of widespread abuses.
Nour had planned to go straight from parliament to court for a hearing in his trial on forgery charges which he says are fabricated, said his wife and spokeswoman, Gameela Ismail.
But the hearing was postponed until a higher court considers Nour’s request for a new panel of judges.
Mubarak swore to uphold the republican system of government, respect the constitution and protect the interests of the people and the independence and safety of the country.
His wife, Suzanne, and his politician son, Gamal, 41, who has been mooted as a possible successor, watched from a gallery.
In a brief speech, Mubarak asked all Egyptians, including those who voted against him, to work together during the six years of his new term, which will take him to the age of 83.
“I stretch out my hand to every Egyptian so that together we can build a new future,” he said.
He said he was confident parliamentary elections in November would be free and fair.
In his campaign, Mubarak said he aimed to create 4.5 million jobs over the next six years, raise public sector salaries and replace Egypt’s emergency law with anti-terrorism legislation.
Mubarak offered to change the system of choosing the president in February after the United States and Egyptian opposition groups pressed for political change. Under the old system, parliament chose Mubarak as sole presidential candidate and Egyptians then voted for him in referendums. But a constitutional amendment approved by referendum in May set tough conditions for rival presidential candidates.     – Reuters




photo: A video grab shows Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak speaking to parliament in Cairo yesterday.     – Reuters
Last update on: 28-9-2005