CAIRO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak pledged on Saturday fair upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in the country.
In his speech aired on Egypt's Nile News, Mubarak said "I reiterate my keenness for the integrity of the elections and welcome each honest effort that provides solutions for the problems of our society without gambling with its security, stability and future."
However, Mubarak did not mention whether he intends to run for next year's presidential elections or not.
The Egyptian president, who has been ruling Egypt since 1981, also referred to the active interaction of various powers in Egypt 's society, saying it is the fruit of his own initiative that was presented five years ago.
"It is the evidence of the vitality of Egyptians and a witness to the unprecedented freedom of opinion, expression and the press, " Mubarak said.
"I sincerely welcome such interaction as long as it abides by laws and the constitution and is intended to realize the interest of Egypt."
However, he warned against turning this "active interaction" into a conflict.
"This active interaction should not ever turn into confrontation or a conflict and we have to beware of such a turn," added the president.
The Egyptian parliamentary elections are due in October and the presidential elections are slated for September next year.
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