Kamal al-Shazli, the longest-standing Egyptian parliamentarian died this morning at the age of 76. Al-Sahzli has been visibly emaciated lately. Al-Shazli was running for al-Bagour constituency in Menufeya, which he had been representing in parliament for 46 years. His death comes at a critical timing for the National Democratic Party (NDP)--which he represented--as the party will not be able to field another candidate after nominations were closed around a week ago. NDP Secretary in Menufeya, Meghawry Shehata said the party won't field any candidate in the district, where seven other contenders are competing. Al-Shazli, often considered one of the old guards of the regime, held several official and partisan posts since the 1960's. He was a member of the Menufeya city council in 1960, entered parliament in 1964 and was appointed as the secretary of organization at the NDP from 1978 to 2005. He was also the minister of parliamentary affairs until 2004. He became supervisor of the Specialized National Councils after he was removed from his ministerial post. In his district in Menufeya, Eid al-Adha celebrations were canceled because of the MP's death. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
