Good news:
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Jerusalem Post
6/24/04
Mubarak reassures Egyptians he will return soon
HERB KEINON and AP Jun. 24, 2004
President Hosni Mubarak, in Germany for treatment for a slipped disc, gave an interview to Egyptian television from his hospital room to reassure Egyptians that he will return home soon.
It is very rare for state media to report on the health of the 76-year-old president. The appearance seemed designed to counter rumors that Mubarak is seriously ill.
The three-minute interview first aired Wednesday night, was replayed several times Thursday, and was front page news in all national papers.
"I thank the concerned brotherly citizens and I tell them that I am currently undergoing daily treatment, and I am doing the required [physiotherapy]," said Mubarak, dressed in pajamas and a dark, striped robe.
"I am running the affairs [of the state] from here to an extent," he said. "The government is working and if they need anything I talk with them. There is no problem from this point at all."
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon phoned Mubarak on Thursday to wish him good health and a speedy recovery from his operation.
According to a statement issued by Sharon's office, the prime minister also thanked Mubarak for Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman's "successful visit to Israel."
Mubarak left for Germany on Sunday and appointed Prime Minister Atef Obeid as acting president during his absence. Mubarak's wife, Suzanne, and sons Gamal and Alaa, accompanied him to Germany.
Mubarak, sitting in a chair and slightly bending forward at times, said doctors will decide to operate if the physiotherapy doesn't yield results.
"It's as if I am on vacation for a week... One has to rest for a while," the president said. "Anyway, I thank the people, and God willing, as soon as the treatment whether physiotherapy or other is finished, I will return and will continue our journey in Cairo." He did not give an estimate of how long he would be gone.
The pro-government Al-Akhbar newspaper reported that more than 87,000 state and private mosques will pray for Mubarak's health during Friday's prayers "as a recognition of the services he offered the country and its people all his life."
In November, Mubarak interrupted a speech to parliament for 30 minutes, suffering a cold and a slight drop in blood pressure. The interruption caused a brief political scare as Mubarak – who has ruled Egypt since 1981 – does not have a designated successor.
Recent months have seen speculation Mubarak was grooming his son Gamal, portrayed as pro-reform and technology-savvy, to succeed him. Some Egyptians have dared to protest, saying it is undemocratic to put the leader's son in line for the presidency.