President Mubarak gives a major political speech today at the end of the NDP conference in which he reviews the issues of social justice and development at the local and international levels.

President Mubarak met Monday 5/11/2007at the presidential palace in Heliopolis with the NDP secretariat general in its new formation which includes 34 members. During the meeting the secretariat general re-elected Safwat al-Sherif as NDP secretary general with overwhelming majority.

Sherif told reporters following the meeting President Mubarak presented to the General Secretariat his decision to form the secretariat's bureau.

The bureau comprises, besides Sherif, Zakaria Azmi, Moufid Shehab and Gamal Mubarak as assistant secretary-generals.

President Mubarak signed the decision Monday 5/11/207 to form the party's politbureau following the election of the General Secretariat and members of the bureau in conformity with the party's statutes.

He referred to amendments sanctioned during the 9th NDP's congress, saying the General Secretariat now comprises 30 elected members and five members selected by the party leader.

Sherif pointed out to President Mubarak's evaluation of the General Secretariat's performance, saying it has been distinguished over the past few years.

Therefore, President Mubarak decided to keep its previous 29 members who have worked with team spirit and realized tangible achievements in their posts, he added.

Sherif said President Mubarak asserted keenness on having cadres from Upper Egypt join the General Secretariat.

He added that President Mubarak voiced the belief that the current congress represents a real breakthrough in the party's visions and formulas of political, economic and social reform.

He quoted President Mubarak as saying the coming stage is important and needs bigger efforts and credibility in activating the outcome of the congress.

President Mubarak pointed out that the legislative agenda should be approved by the party, the government and the party's parliamentary body, he added.

He asserted that the party and the government are two sides of one coin, pointing out that the party's success depends on the government's ability to turn its vision into reality.

The NDP's vision will remain bigger and wider in the long run, he added.

6/11/2007