Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) declared today that President Hosni Mubarak does not want poorer people in Egypt to carry additional burdens or pay new taxes.
In an article written by the managing editor for the NDP's website, the party said that instructions given by Mubarak are tasks for all NDP officials to carry out in the new year.
The article also stated that Mubarak is continually keen to emphasize his bias toward the poor and ordinary people and his support for the fair distribution of the fruits of development.
Protests over high prices in Tunisia over the past four weeks led to the ousting of President Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali who ruled the country for 23 years.
Jordan, Libya and Morocco have seen similar protests against high prices, especially for food.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, meanwhile, ruled out the possibility of Tunisian-style revolutions in other Arab countries, saying fears of the uprising spreading were "nonsense."
