Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak's age is one of the reasons behind the mass protests going on since January 25, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said Thursday, DPA reporetd.
"President Mubarak's advanced age and the uncertainty of who might succeed him are among the reasons," Abul-Gheit said in an interview with Al Arabiya television.
The 82-year old president, who has ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years, rejected calls to step down immediately, but promised not to seek re-election after his term ends in September.
Abul-Gheit said another reason for the unrest was the outcome of parliamentary elections late last year, which saw Mubarak's ruling party win more than 80 per cent of the seats amid violence and accusations by rights groups of vote rigging.