CAIRO, 12 September 2005 — Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak pledged yesterday to pursue political reforms after sweeping to a fifth term in office in an election widely criticized by his opponents.
“The true victory is the victory for democracy and pluralism,” Mubarak said in his first speech since his victory in Wednesday’s first multicandidate presidential election in the most populous country of the Arab world.
Mubarak, who won 88.6 percent of the votes, will be sworn in on Sept. 27 at a big ceremony at the lower house of Parliament.
The president will shortly form a new Cabinet that is expected to see some of Egypt’s old guard replaced by younger reformists allied to his son, Gamal.
Mubarak told members of his ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) that more political and social reforms would be carried out. Egypt, he said, had reached a “turning-point”.
“The pursuit of reforms is irrevocable,” he said. “With all determination and persistence, I will work on creating a modern society for free citizens in a democratic country,” Mubarak told hundreds of NDP members.
“I say to the young, the workers, the peasants, the intellectuals and the middle classes: I will stand by your side and support your causes and ambitions,” said Mubarak.
He promised to combat unemployment and create jobs in his new term running up until 2011.
