Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has reiterated his grip on power, nearly a month after the country's parliamentary elections triggered protests across the country, PressTV reported.
Mubarak told members of his ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) on Saturday that he is firmly in charge of both the party and the government.
On November 28, the NDP overwhelmingly clinched control of four-fifths of the new parliament in a controversial vote, boycotted by the opposition.
Opposition groups say the poll, which was met with a meager 15 percent turnout, was rigged by the ruling NDP.
However, Mubarak hailed the legislative victory on Saturday and stressed that the win now brings a "great responsibility" for the ruling bloc.
"From today we must work to implement the party's policies," said Mubarak.
Mubarak also vowed to pursue economic reforms, and raise annual growth levels from the current six percent to eight percent within five years.
In his speech, the 82-year-old did not make any reference to the presidential election set for next autumn.
Media outlets have, however, quoted people close to Mubarak as saying he is ready to stand for a sixth term.
"The next presidential elections are scheduled for 2011 and if Mubarak is still alive it is likely he will run again and, inevitably, win," a secret diplomatic cable published on the WikiLeaks website said.
It added that Mubarak, who has been in office for 29 years, is likely to die in office rather than step down voluntarily or be replaced in a plausible democratic vote.
This is while Mubarak's recent surgeries have prompted speculation on the presidential succession.
It is widely believed within Egypt that Mubarak is preparing to pass on the baton to his 47-year-old son Gamal, whose profile is ever-increasing at the ruling party.
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