Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak accepted the presidency of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and began a campaign of marginalization against all opposing political parties. He was a political expert after his pivotal role with America and Saudi Arabia in the war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. When Mubarak took power, he showed no desire to change politicians, NDP leaders or any part of the old Sadat administration. However, while Sadat was killed in October, Mubarak stayed Prime Minister until the beginning of 1982. Mubarak began looking into the political histories of his associates, though he spent six years as vice president and already knew the details about most leaders. The parties' leaders were like a shadow to Sadat, and sought to help after Sadat announced his intention to form a National Democratic Party. Mubarak knew he must do the same. There were stories about struggles between Mubarak and the Minister of Information Mansour Hassan, who was dismissed by Sadat before his assassination. Mahmoud Gamea said in one of his interviews, “Sadat's wife Gehan al-Sadat was planning with Ashraf Marwan and Sadat's secretary Fawzy Abdel Hafiz to promote the Minister of Information Mansour Hassan to vice president. Mansour became the Minister of Presidential Affairs and was allowed to read reports and mail and summarize them to Sadat. Reading and summarizing Sadat's mail was previously Mubarak's tasks, but Gehan el-Sadat was worried about Mubarak's power.” Mosa Sabry mentioned these stories in his book, but the former Minister of Information Mansour Hassan denied them. Some people said Mubarak wasted many chances when he took over Egypt's affairs. When Hosni Mubarak took power, the Soviet Union was strong and Ronald Regan was starting his first term as U.S. President. Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of Britain, the Lebanese civil war was at its peak, King Hussein was ruling Jordan, and Hafiz El Asad was ruling Syria. Afghanistan was experiencing a war with the Soviets, who supported Naguib Allah's communist government. The U.S. began its covert action in Afghanistan through Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Mubarak was one of the main forces in the Afghanistan war and coordinating heavily with U.S. and Saudi Arabian intelligence services. He encouraged Sadat in 1979 to send groups of Egyptian Islamic youths to travel and fight the Soviet invasion. “Charlie Wilson's War,” starring Tom Hanks, highlights the role of Charlie Wilson, a U.S. Congressman, in financing and supporting the insurgents in Afghanistan. He transferred money and weapons to resist the Soviet fighters. Charlie Wilson lived a life of excess, including drink and women. But he developed important intelligence contacts, some in Egypt, where he was able to communicate with key political figures. One British book claims Mubarak, former Minister of Defense Abu Ghazala and businessman Hussein Salem began exporting donkeys to Afghanistan, where they were used to transport equipment and supplies into the highlands. They signed a deal to export 10,000 donkeys to Afghanistan. Such deals were the beginning of a business relationship established between Hosni Mubarak and Hussein Salem, which lasted for years. Mubarak played a role in the Cold War and had strong relations with U.S. intelligence, as he was the connecting link between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. The youth who were sent by Mubarak to fight the Soviets were tried after the war ended, and thus many ultimately joined military factions of armed groups. Mubarak was good at playing the role of employer both during and after Sadat's era. He used to listen to all parties at the beginning of his reign even though he always only took his opinion into consideration when making a decision. Mubarak tried to show his intention to eradicate the hypocrisy of the past. He announced his condemnation of the usage of public funds on parties and congratulatory events. The public image of Mubarak in his first few years was weak, despite National Democratic Party efforts to market his name and face. Mubarak refused the presidency of the NDP to appease members of opposition forces, including al-Tagammu Party, El Ahaly Newspaper and El Shaab newspaper – headed by Ibrahim Shokry, the leader of the Socialist Work Party. On January 1, 1982, a speech by Mubarak announcing his intention to not change any political leaders was published in all national newspapers. He also claimed to keep all of Sadat's policies, including open trade. “The People's Assembly will remain until its constitutional period finishes, and I don't find any reason for new elections,” said Mubarak in his first speech in 1982. He wanted to reassure NDP leaders, members of People's and Shura Assemblies and government officials that each would remain in his position. Mubarak fired the Interior Minister under Sadat, el-Nabawy Ismail, the minister who failed to thwart the assassination of the president, the insurgent movement of the el-Gehad group as well as other internal threats to the regime. Ismail was not forced out entirely – he was appointed Minister of Local Governance, a position reserved for ousted Interior Ministers. Foad Mohy el-Din was a politician who was promoted in politics since the Socialist Union. He chose the position of Secretary of the NDP and played an important role in convincing Mubarak to accept the presidency of the NDP. On February 26, 1982, Mubarak accepted the presidency of the NP, refusing opposition demands. The opposition also demanded that Mubarak remain an independent president, but Mubarak rejected this, claiming that the National Democratic Party was a mixture of the Socialist Union and Sadat's men. Mubarak's acceptance of the NDP presidency indicates his intention to depend on regime members to enhance his powers and to control the political and executive work. He began weakening opposing parties with State's Security intrusions. Yousef Waly and Safwat el-Sherif also played an important role in weakening the opposition. These two former regime figures started with Mubarak and ended with him during the January 25 Revolution.
