Son of Egyptian president wed

CAIRO, Apr 29 (Reuters) Gamal Mubarak, the 43-year-old son of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, married Khadiga el-Gammal in a family ceremony presided over by the country's top government-appointed cleric, witnesses said.

The ceremony was followed by a larger, more formal reception, also at the presidential residence, a source in attendance said yesterday.

A wedding party is scheduled to take place in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on May 4, timed to coincide with Hosni Mubarak's 79th birthday.

Gamal is a former investment banker who is assistant secretary-general and head of the policies committee in the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP).

He is almost 20 years older than Khadiga, the daughter of a wealthy building contractor.

The Egyptian opposition and political analysts say many signs indicate that the Mubarak family and the NDP intend Gamal Mubarak should replace his father as president. The Mubaraks deny he has any presidential ambitions.

Analysts say Egyptians would find it hard to accept an unmarried head of state. Mubarak won a fifth six-year term in a presidential election in September 2005 and has never appointed a vice president.

Reuters SKB VV1231