CAIRO - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said the country's top priority is national security during a speech at his party's annual conference on Saturday evening. 'Nothing comes ahead of Egypt's national security,' he said during his 30-minute address. Mubarak, who began his career in the Air Force, allocates billions of dollars each year to the country's security apparatus and is said to be one of the most tightly guarded presidents in the world. The 82-year-old leader, who has ruled over Egypt for nearly 30 years, spoke before the country's ministers and an auditorium filled with hundreds of National Democratic Party (NDP) members - with key party leaders in the front row, including his son Gamal Mubarak. The younger Mubarak, who chairs the party's policies committee, is rumoured to be a possible candidate for the presidency. The ailing and elder Mubarak has not said whether he intends to seek another six-year term in next year's election, although he has previously said he would serve until his last breath. During his speech, Mubarak broadly outlined his party's goals following an election sweep in the lower house of parliament last month, in which the NDP won more than 80 per cent of seats. 'We will take clear and mindful steps in the next five years that will affect citizens,' Mubarak said. Around 20 minutes into the speech, party members interrupted the president with applause, leading Mubarak to joke, 'So then, why haven't you clapped until now?'
