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Mubarak sworn in, vows to reform Egypt
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-09-28 08:58

"We will hold legislative elections in November which will complete the experience of the presidential election," Mubarak said, vowing to "pursue democratization and economic liberalization."

During a campaign that saw rivals and newspapers openly attacking his regime for the first time, Mubarak promised to lift the state of emergency and create more than four million jobs.

Critics of the leader have pointed out that unemployment is at least twice as high as the official 10 percent and argued that his plan to create jobs and raise wages was unrealistic.

The government handed in its resignation, but Mubarak issued a decree asking the it to continue until a reshuffle after the parliamentary elections.

Some 3,000 protesters from various political groups including the pro-reform Kefaya (Enough) movement chanted slogans in central Cairo against a new mandate for Mubarak and hereditary power.

"We swear to make you leave," shouted some, as police watched on and the normally ubiquitous anti-riot units were nowhere to be seen.

A video grab shows Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (R) applauding visiting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in parliament in Cairo, September 27, 2005. [Reuters]

Others pounded drums to chants of "batel, batel" (null and void), and balloons in Kefaya's yellow colors were sent rising into the air.

Under the statue of a leader of Egypt's struggle against British occupation, one of the demonstrators read out a counter oath, which was repeated by the crowd.

"We swear by God Almighty that you (Mubarak) will not bequeath (your office) and that we will never be governed by the son of Hosni and Suzanne Mubarak."

When the government reshuffle takes place, pro-Western reformists within the ruling National Democratic Party and headed by Mubarak's son, Gamal, seem likely to get some key posts.

Gamal's growing influence within the ruling party has prompted speculation that he was being groomed to succeed his father, drawing criticism from opposition leaders and activists.

Many of the nine defeated candidates in the September vote challenged the results, complaining of fraud and other irregularities, in protests which were backed by local non-governmental organisations which had monitored the polls.

After meeting Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif on Monday, new US Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Karen Hughes, reminded Mubarak of his pledge to lift emergency laws, but Nazif told her it would take time.

Critics of the pace of reform hope that the reported defects in September's vote will have been ironed out by the legislative elections.

"The parliamentary polls will be free and fair," Mubarak promised in his speech.

Many see November's vote as more politically significant than the presidential election, as the next People's Assembly will be tasked with discussing wide-ranging reforms.

The legislative polls kick off on November 8 for a period of three weeks, with the NDP currently controlling 404 out of 454 seats.

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