Monday, October 31, 2011

Egypt to ratify anti-corruption law in days-minister - News by Country - Reuters


Mon 31 Oct 2011 | 18:47 GMT
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Egypt to ratify anti-corruption law in days-minister

* Law would mean no immunity for elected politicians

* Analysts say old guard may still wield influence

By Marwa Awad

CAIRO, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Egypt's ruling generals will ratify within days a law barring anyone found guilty of corruption from political life, a senior minister said on Monday, a move to curb the influence of ousted President Hosni Mubarak's former allies.

Wealthy people in Egypt were often members of Mubarak's now defunct National Democratic Party who used their political connections to advance family and business interests.

Egyptians who rose up against Mubarak's three-decade rule in January worry that his associates, some of whom are facing trial for graft and abuse of power, could be re-elected to the new parliament.

Ali al-Selmi, deputy prime minister for political development, said the new law would prosecute officials found guilty of financial crimes and abuse of power.

Even those elected to parliament would not be immune, he said. Voting for the lower house begins on Nov. 28.

"The cabinet and the military council have reached the final stages of ratifying the law," Selmi said. "The law will be passed within days."  

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