Egypt President Names President F0rVery First Time

Egyptian President Mubarak Names Vice President f0rFirst Time

January 29, 2011 | Associated Press

CAIRO -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak named a vice president Saturday f0rthe first time since coming to power nearly 30 years ago. It was a clear step toward setting up a success0rin the midst 0f the biggest challenge ever to his rule from tens 0f thousands 0f anti-government protesters.

Mubarak named his intelligence chief , close confidant Omar Suleiman, state television reported.

Mubarak was widely seen as grooming his son Gamal to succeed him, possibly even as soon as in presidential elections planned f0rlater this year. However, there was significant public opposition to the hereditary succession.

Suleiman has been in charge 0f some 0f Egypt's most sensitive foreign policy issues, including the Palestinian-Israeli peace process , inter-Palestinian divisions.

His appointment as vice president answers one 0f the most intriguing , most enduring political questions in Egypt: who would succeed the 82-year-old Mubarak?

Like Mubarak, Suleiman has a military background. The powerful military has provided Egypt with its four presidents since the monarchy was toppled nearly 60 years ago.

By: EFG-BN

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