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GV EXTERIOR Assembly building
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SCU Members seated
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SV Prime Minister Mamdouh Salem addressing members (2 shots)
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SCU Deputy Speaker el-Sayed speaking
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GV Delegates addressing chamber whilst others listen (3 shots)
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GV AND SV Lr el-kady raising had and addressing Assembly (3 shots)
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Initials OS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Egyptian People's Assembly has held its first session since President Anwar Sadat announced the end of one party rule in Egypt on the 11th of November.

SYNOPSIS: The session was held at the People's Assembly building in Cairo on Saturday (20 November). The Prime Minister, Mr Mamdouh Salem, was one of the speakers at the session. He is leader of the centre section of the Arab Socialist Unions (AUS).

The centre section of the ASU is known as the Arab Socialist Organisation and is the largest party in the new Assembly with 280 of the 360 seats. The main opposition, the Socialist Liberal Party has 12 seats, while there are 48 independents. The multiparty system was abolished in 1952. It was only in March this year that the ASU decided to allow the formation of three new parties -- although members of the new organisations must also become ASU members.

Dr. Mahmous el-kady, an independent member, is one of the main opposition leaders in the new Assembly. Although President Sadat in his speech said the new parties could be formed, he added that he thought their finances should be controlled by the ASU, and they should make sure their policies did not undermine the unity of the country.

The ASU has also taken over responsibility for youth and women's organisations.