Shura Council Speaker Safwat El-Sherif said Egypt's political life is witnessing a quantum leap since the National Democratic Party (NDP)'s general congress in 2002.

El-Sherif, who also doubles as NDP Secretary General, said economic and political reforms are a clear-cut evidence for development in the party's thoughts.

In an interview with al-Arabiya news channel aired on Thursday, el-Shreif said the NDP's main goal is establishing a civil state based on citizenship rights, pluralism and democracy.

The Shura Speaker took up the reforms Egypt witnessed in the past period, including electing the president of the republic through multi-candidate elections, giving the People's Assembly's more powers, empowering women and amending public budget.

El-Sherif denied any clashes inside the party or what is called new and old guards, pointing out that there is a mutual-respect among the party's members whose number exceeds two millions.

He also touched on the last constitutional amendments proposed by the President Hosni Mubarak, especially those related to conditions of nomination to the presidential post.

Any Egyptian citizen meets the post conditions, regardless he is a civil or military one, is allowed to run for the post, he noted.

El-Sherif highlighted the necessity of coordination between the party and the government in outlining policies.

16/11/2007