Source: IBN Live, Feb 11,2011
Despite having little popular appeal or international profile at the time, the burly military man has used his sponsorship of the issue behind Sadat's killing--peace with Israel--to build up his reputation as an international statesman.
In effect, Mubarak, one of the world's longest-serving presidents, has ruled as a quasi-military leader since he took power. For his entire period in office, he has kept the country under emergency law, giving the state sweeping powers of arrest and curbing basic freedoms.
The government argues the draconian regime has been necessary to combat Islamist terrorism, which has come in waves during the decades of Mr Mubarak's rule - often targeting Egypt's lucrative tourism sector. He has presided over a period of domestic stability and economic development that means most of his fellow countrymen have accepted his monopolisation of power in Egypt.
In recent years, Mr Mubarak has felt for the first time the pressure to encourage democracy, both from within Egypt, and from his most powerful ally, the United States. Mubarak has won three elections unopposed since 1981, but for his fourth contest in 2005 - after a firm push from the US - he changed the system to allow rival candidates. Critics say the election was heavily weighted in favour of Mubarak and the National Democratic Party (NDP).
They accuse the Egyptian leader of presiding over a sustained campaign of suppressing opposition groups, most notably the Muslim Brotherhood. In the past, Mubarak has said he will continue to serve Egypt until his last breath. In his speech on 1 February, he said: "This dear nation... is where I lived, I fought for it and defended its soil, sovereignty and interests. On its soil I will die. History will judge me like it did others."PTI RBS GSN
Despite having little popular appeal or international profile at the time, the burly military man has used his sponsorship of the issue behind Sadat's killing--peace with Israel--to build up his reputation as an international statesman.
In effect, Mubarak, one of the world's longest-serving presidents, has ruled as a quasi-military leader since he took power. For his entire period in office, he has kept the country under emergency law, giving the state sweeping powers of arrest and curbing basic freedoms.
The government argues the draconian regime has been necessary to combat Islamist terrorism, which has come in waves during the decades of Mr Mubarak's rule - often targeting Egypt's lucrative tourism sector. He has presided over a period of domestic stability and economic development that means most of his fellow countrymen have accepted his monopolisation of power in Egypt.
In recent years, Mr Mubarak has felt for the first time the pressure to encourage democracy, both from within Egypt, and from his most powerful ally, the United States. Mubarak has won three elections unopposed since 1981, but for his fourth contest in 2005 - after a firm push from the US - he changed the system to allow rival candidates. Critics say the election was heavily weighted in favour of Mubarak and the National Democratic Party (NDP).
They accuse the Egyptian leader of presiding over a sustained campaign of suppressing opposition groups, most notably the Muslim Brotherhood. In the past, Mubarak has said he will continue to serve Egypt until his last breath. In his speech on 1 February, he said: "This dear nation... is where I lived, I fought for it and defended its soil, sovereignty and interests. On its soil I will die. History will judge me like it did others."PTI RBS GSN
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