Mubarak Risks Losing Lead Role in Gaza Talks as Criticism Rises

[FarCenter]

By Daniel Williams

Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Egypt’s efforts to broker a cease- fire between Israel and Gaza have brought it no peace at home.

Its restive population has taken to the streets by the thousands in protest, blaming President Hosni Mubarak for his inability -- or unwillingness -- to help Palestinians in the coastal enclave, more than 1,300 of whom died in the three-week conflict. Taxi drivers replace Arab pop with Palestinian martial music on their cassette radios, businessmen in central Cairo sport checkered Palestinian scarves and art galleries produce instant antiwar exhibits.

If negotiations fall apart, Egypt’s credibility as self- declared regional stabilizer and leader of the Arab world will be damaged. Mubarak’s popularity was already low among Egyptians because of the country’s increasing economic problems. Turmoil even threatens a smooth transition to new leadership -- with Mubarak’s son, Gamal, as heir-apparent to his 80-year-old father.

“This is a nightmare for Egypt,” said Abdel Monem Said, director of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo. “It’s hit from all sides.”

He said the problem with Egypt’s mediation is its desire to be all things to all people: peaceful associate of Israel, ally of the U.S., backer of the Palestinians, standard-bearer of Arab nationalism -- at a time when its citizens want Mubarak to take the Palestinian side.

<snip> http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aJJq.yqQFp6Y&refer=home

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Hopefully, the corrupt Mubaraks, father and son, will be driven from power.

[atreides1]

1. Hopefully, the corrupt Mubaraks, father and son, will be driven from power. "

And replaced by who? The Arab Brotherhood?

[FarCenter]

2. A democratically elected government expressing the will of the Egyptian people