Pro-Gamal Mubarak campaign hits streets

Supporters of Gamal Mubarak, the 47-year-old son of President Hosni Mubarak and assistant secretary-general of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), have begun hanging posters throughout Cairo calling for the younger Mubarak's nomination in next year's presidential elections.

The campaign is being organized by the self-styled "Popular Support Coalition for Gamal Mubarak."

"I took this move in light of the serious national issues to have emerged recently, such as sectarian strife and the formation of Mohamed ElBaradei's National Association for Change (NAC), which lacks a clear political agenda," said coalition coordinator Magdi el-Kordi.

El-Kordi relinquished membership in the leftist Tagammu opposition party in order to launch the pro-Gamal campaign. "Our coalition currently boasts 4000 members," he said, noting that prominent businessmen and political figures were not encouraged to join.

NDP general secretariat member Nabih el-Alkamani, however, played down the importance of the campaign, noting that "Only President Mubarak can choose the party's candidate for next year's elections."

NAC coordinator Hassan Nafea, for his part, warned that the pro-Mubarak campaign suggested the looming possibility of a father-to-son presidential succession.

"The plot to bequeath power to the president's son has been launched," Nafea said.

Translated from the Arabic Edition.