"In this case I think your analysis is correct," writes my Egyptian friend and seasoned reporter, and to it I would add that the state press is also allowed to take a more radical stance on Iraqi or Israel-Palestine than the govt is often taking but not being particularly public about it, as a way of maintainng credibility with the street". Do note that street means intellectual elite.

He goes on:"But my qualification"this time" is because the rules of the game here is that the state press cannot criticize the president or his family but they are free to criticize ministers and do frequently". This is meant as a correction to my piece on the new apparent freedom of the Egyptian media.

Still, I have been reading about Egyptian unease with the possibility of Mubarak running for an additional term along with hints that if his son is to succeed him it should be via elections.