RSS Feeds
The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it    
Occupation magazine - Siege, Wall, Checkpoints

Home page  back Print  Send To friend

Egypt: Wife bids to build Mubarak dynasty
Uzi Mahanaimi
Anti War
12.6.2005

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1650880,00.html

A DISPUTE has erupted between President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and his half-Welsh wife over whether their son Gamal should succeed him.

Egyptian sources said Suzanne Mubarak was trying to persuade her 77-year-old husband to step down soon after his almost certain re-election for a fifth term in September. This would open the way for the ruling National Democratic party to pick Gamal, 41, as sole candidate for the succession.



But the president, asked last year about the prospect of Gamal succeeding him, said: “Egypt is republican — there is no hereditary transfer of power. It will not happen.”

Mubarak’s opposition appears partly motivated by fear for his son. Having witnessed the assassination of Anwar Sadat, his predecessor, in 1981 and survived an attempt on his own life, he is all too aware of the dangers faced by Arab politicians.

Suzanne Mubarak, the daughter of an Egyptian doctor and a Welsh nurse, nevertheless remains highly ambitious for Gamal and her other son, Alaa, 44. “There were so many wars and my husband was always away,” she said of her marriage in a rare interview a few years ago. “I devoted my life to the boys.”

Gamal, a well-educated and articulate businessman with an office in Knightsbridge in London, has played an important role in the National Democratic party for some years. Observers believe he could win a popular vote in a democratic election — if he were not the president’s son.

His main rival is one of Mubarak’s best friends, General Omar Suleiman, 69, the spy chief. The two men became close after Suleiman saved the president’s life from Islamic terrorists in Ethiopia 10 years ago.

While Mubarak’s support is critical for an aspiring president, America could have the final say.

Egypt depends on American aid to feed its 77m people and Washington has put pressure on Mubarak to introduce more democracy.



Links to the latest articles in this section

Electricity blackouts put lives of Palestinian patients in Gaza at extreme risk
In celebration and anticipation
VIDEO Aug. 27 Bilin Demo