Former Assistant Foreign Minister Abdallah al-Ashaal has announced the formation of a new political party--the Free Egypt Party. An official announcement will be made at a press conference in Cairo this week, the assistant minister said. The party is being established to give the 25 January youth political representation, and will participate in the next parliamentary and presidential elections, according to al-Ashaal, who said he intends to run in the presidential elections. The Free Egypt Party will work on implementing its ideas through increasing financial resources, achieving social justice and attracting competent Egyptians overseas to work in Egypt, al-Ashaal added. The new party will translate the noble objectives of the revolution into action, according to al-Ashaal, and seek to establish a modern state following the downfall of the oppressive regime--one which is based on the principles of democracy and freedom. Egypt should also restore its place in the Arab and Islamic worlds, said al-Ashaal, who added that he urges all Egyptians to join the party. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
