November 8, 2002. Copyright, 2002, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Key players in Middle East melting pot: Hosni Mubarak, Egypt
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, November 8, Graphic News:  Since the U.S. began its Òwar on terrorÓ, EgyptÕs Hosni Mubarak has taken off his diplomatic gloves. In the past the Arab worldÕs most populous nation was classified automatically as ÒmoderateÓ and Òpro-westernÓ, but current U.S. policy in the Middle East has frustrated its veteran leader, a reliable regional mediator whose proudest moments include his role in the 1993 Oslo peace accords. If it is true that Cairo is the bellweather of Arab feeling, Mubarak himself seems to reflect ambivalence towards Iraq. During the Gulf War Egypt benefitted from the cancellation of billions of dollars of debt in return for an anti-Saddam stance. This time, Mubarak has said he would support a war against Iraq under the auspices of the UN, but he has also urged Saddam to comply with weapons inspectors to deny the U.S. a pretext. He has warned that striking Iraq would unleash a ÒdangerousÓ tide of feeling in the Arab world. Yet critics say he has not shied away from using the war on terror to crack down on all opponents (not just Islamists) of his regime. In August civil rights groups expressed concern at the jailing of prominent activist Saad Eddin Ibrahim. Of course, MubarakÕs real bugbear is Israel, and U.S. backing of his countryÕs old foe. Many Arabs believe a war could provide a cover for Israel to step up its suppression of the Palestinian uprising. As he travels the world calling for Arab unity Mubarak has grown more critical of the focus on Iraq, and hammered home what to many Arabs seems obvious: ÒThe only way to solve all the regionÕs issues is through tangible and major progress on the Palestinian cause.Ó
/ENDS