Egypt's Hosni Mubarak turns 80

Cairo: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak turned 80 on Sunday with no clear successor in sight.

Mubarak is now in his 27th year as Egypt's leader. He has never appointed a vice president.

Egyptians assume that the preferred candidate is Mubarak's politician son, Gamal Mubarak, however, rival candidates could still challenge Gamal's succession.

Mubarak's 80th birthday also comes at a time when his government faces blame for rising food prices in the country and insufficient supply of cheap bread.

On Wednesday, Mubarak proposed a 30 per cent increase on public sector salaries for more people to afford rising consumer prices.