Egypt’s Future Succession Struggle Brews

In the wake of reports last week that suggested Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will dissolve parliament and bring elections forward, signs that he may step down before his term ends are emerging from Arab press and Israeli reports. The 81 year-old Mubarak is reported to have informed Saudi King Abdullah of his plans to leave office prematurely.

This news is significant, as Egypt currently occupies a pivotal role in Palestinian reconciliation, the Gaza ceasefire and Israeli-Arab relations. Yet on Saturday, Israeli press reported that Egypt has ceased mediation efforts to forge a Palestinian Authority solution. Moreover, predictions that a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood will weaken the organization before early elections may signify that there are political maneuvers taking place behind the scenes in Cairo. Helena Cobban writes that a succession struggle is already brewing between Mubarak’s son Gemal and Omar Suleiman, who happens to be “the chief point-man” on Egypt’s role in important regional issues.