Members of Gamal Mubarak's presidential campaign distributed some 2000 kilograms of meat among residents of the capital's low-income Gammalleya and Mansheyyet Nasser neighborhoods this weekend in an effort to raise popular support for their candidate.
Gamal Mubarak, the 47-year-old son of president Hosni Mubarak, is widely seen as a potential contender in next year's presidential elections. A petition in support of a Gamal Mubarak presidency has so far garnered 30,000 online signatures and 20,000 hard signatures.
Campaign members also plastered sidewalks with posters depicting both President Mubarak and his son. Campaign officials–along with some local butchers–wore outfits bearing the younger Mubarak’s image.
The event was marred by clashes, however, which erupted as campaign members attempted to distribute meat among residents. Three campaign officials were reportedly injured.
In a related development, Zamalek footballer Tarek al-Sayed has launched his own pro-Gamal Mubarak campaign in the governorate of Minya. Al-Sayed told Al-Masry Al-Youm that he had formally nominated the presidential scion to stand in upcoming parliamentary elections.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
