There is widespread speculation in Egypt that Gamal Mubarak will take over after his father [EPA]

But the 45-year-old son of Hosni Mubarak said people were "over-analysing" a speech by his father which fuelled speculation that the presidency could pass from father to son.

He failed to scotch the rumours during his own address to the media at the National Democratic Party (NDP) convention on Sunday, but emphasised that it is yet too early to nominate any presidential candidate.

"In the party we have a clear system through which the party candidate is selected. We are not obliged, two years in advance, to say who the party candidate will be.

"It is subject to certain rules and regulations agreed to within the party."

His father had a day earlier praised the party's young leadership and an ambitious reform programme spearheaded by the younger Mubarak.

'New generation'

Gamal Mubarak said: "There's a tendency to over-analyse lines in speeches [of the president]. Listen to all the president's speeches from previous years... All along, he's spoken about a new generation... He's all along asked for opening the doors for the youth and women."

Hosni Mubarak, 81, has ruled Egypt for 28 years and has yet to say whether he will stand again or whether he would support Gamal as a candidate.

His son, a former investment banker, heads the policy committee in the NDP and has been tipped as the next president, although he has never admitted having presidential aspirations.

Two ministers, including Ahmed Nazif, the prime minister, have said recently that Gamal Mubarak is a possible candidate to run in the 2011 presidential elections.

Alternative candidates

Gamal Mubarak's supporters say he is "perfect" for the job, and that his lineage works against otherwise good credentials.

Gamal Mubarak is credited with helping to push through economic changes that have won praise from foreign investors.

Egypt's opposition groups launched a campaign against his possible succession to the presidency earlier this month.

Several alternative candidates have been floated by opposition parties and the media in the past month, including Amr Moussa, the Arab League chief, and Mohamed ElBaradei, the Egyptian head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency.

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto:

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Title:
BBCode:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.4