Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was sworn in on Tuesday for a fifth term after winning 88 percent of the vote in Egypt's first multi-party elections earlier this month.
Mubarak, who will shortly complete 25 years as president of Egypt and leader of the ruling National Democratic Party, addressed Egyptian parliament as he entered yet another six-year term.
A 21-gun salute launched the ceremony, which was held under tight security regulations. Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi was also present, according to Reuters.
Despite Mubarak's landslide victory, a mere 23 percent of Egyptians made it to the polls on September 7; of Egypt's 72 million citizens, only 6.5 million decided the voted for the incumbent president.
In the past Mubarak has received more than 90 of the vote in nationwide referendums. Last February, the Egyptian president initiated a new system of multi-party candidates. Nine candidates challenged him during the elections.
Mubarak had pledged to fight Egypt's rampant unemployment, and offer better housing and health care to the nation's citizenry.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
