Egyptian President Mubarak resumes duties after last month’s surgery in Germany

Egypt’s president resumes duties after surgery

CAIRO — The Egyptian president resumed his duties on Thursday after recovering from last month’s gallbladder surgery in Germany, the state MENA news agency reported.

The report said Hosni Mubarak chaired a meeting of several government ministers in his first official appearance since the procedure.

The president “discussed a host of domestic issues” at the meeting in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, it said. Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, as well as ministers of finance, housing and economic development attended the meeting.

Later Thursday, MENA reported Mubarak ordered all government employees be paid a monthly bonus equivalent to 10 percent of their paychecks, starting with the new fiscal year in July. The raise is likely meant to drum up support for his government, which is under criticism for its economic policies.

The 81-year-old Mubarak went to Sharm el-Sheikh to recuperate after the surgery. His absence from public functions had set off new speculation about his frail health.

Mubarak has ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years. He has no clear successor and has never appointed a vice president.