Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday dismissed American criticism of a forthcoming referendum on constitutional changes, ahead of a visit by US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
"We take the path towards reform with conviction and without looking back," Mubarak told a gathering in the southern city of Assiut. "I will not accept pressures or orders or conditions," he said, according to AFP. "I will not be swayed into gambling with the future of this nation and I will be relentless in defending the future of its people."
Rice stated Friday the lack of democratic change in Egypt was "disappointing" and expressed her concern over Monday's referendum.
