The political bureau of the former ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) submitted its resignation to secretary general Mohamed Ragab on Thursday, in a move that could pave the way for the dismantling of the party, a source said. The NDP has been the dominant political force in Egypt since 1978. The bureau, according to the source, stressed the importance of creating radical changes to both the ideology and mechanisms of the party to keep in line with current changes in Egyptian society. Members of the bureau include Mohamed Haiba and Mohamed Kamal, both confidants of Gamal Mubarak, son of ousted President Hosni Mubarak. A large number of NDP leaders from Egypt's 29 governorates have resigned since the overthrow of Mubarak. The erstwhile president appointed the bureau on 5 February to succeed its predecessor, which included the younger Mubarak and former Shura Council Speaker Safwat Sharif, both of whom have been proved to be involved in the hiring of thugs to attack protesters. Observers say the NDP lacked a clear ideology or organizational and tactical skills, and that it depended on the integration of its apparatuses with state institutions to win the majority of seats in parliamentary elections. The party has employed the heavy use of thugs to control all Egyptian elections over the previous two decades. Since Mubarak stepped down on 11 February, calls have escalated for the dissolution of the NDP and a prohibition on its political activities. Protesters burned most of the NDPs headquarters during the events of the 18-day Egyptian revolution. Following his resignation on Thursday, former NDP Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary Mohamed Abdellah said the move was a response to the demands of the Egyptian public which refuses the party's continuation. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
