Mohamed al-Salehi, Ezzat Badawi, Atef Abaza and Khairi Mubasher, all MPs for the National Democratic Party (NDP), refused to sign a statement supporting the nomination of Gamal Mubarak, assistant secretary-general of the NDP and son of President Hosni Mubarak, for the presidency. The statement was distributed two days ago at an iftar for members of the NDP and local councils in Bahnasai village, Zagazig. Al-Salehi described the statement as “dubious,” saying it was not officially approved by the NDP. In addition, he said, Gamal does not need the MPs' support. In Suez, Ahmed Abdel Gawwad, media coordinator for Ghad Party founder Ayman Nour, announced two days ago the launch of the campaign slogan “Egypt is Larger than You” to counter the Gamal Mubarak Support Coalition. Meanwhile, a popular coalition in Port Said said it is merging two groups titled “Lovers of Gamal” and “We Want You.” Wael al-Damarani, public relations coordinator for the coalition, said 6000 people have signed up for Gamal even though the campaign has suspended its activity over the past three days. In Beni Suef, the National Association for the Support of Gamal Mubarak distributed 5000 leaflets bearing a picture of Gamal. The leaflet said the president's son has come under fire even though he is yet to announce that he will run in the presidential election, and attributed the current state of "political mobility" to the actions of Gamal Mubarak. In Gharbiya, a new Gamal support campaign launched under the title “Gharbiya Lovers of Gamal.” The campaign began work in Tanta distributing presidential nomination statements for Egyptians to sign in support of Gamal. Mohamed Youssri, general coordinator for the campaign, said he has distributed hundreds of posters and thousands of pictures and nomination statements. Mostafa al-khawaga, assistant general coordinator for the campaign, said the coalition has so far held several conferences in villages and collected signatures endorsing Gamal for the presidency. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
