Mubarak Steps Into an Unfamiliar Ring
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday stood outside the provincial school where he long ago was a working-class pupil and announced his candidacy in Egypt’s first open presidential election. Now 77 and with more than two decades of unbroken power under his belt, it was the first time Mubarak had presented himself as a candidate in a competitive race. The September vote will mark a sharp change for the autocratic leader, who in 24 years as president has never allowed another person to run against him. Full Story