Mubarak to return to Egypt Saturday afternoon

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will return to Egypt on Saturday following gallbladder surgery in Germany this month, a government minister told Reuters late on Friday. Mubarak is to arrive on Saturday afternoon to the resort town of Sharm El Sheikh, Information Minister Anas el-Feki said in a text message exchange. The president's return comes three weeks after doctors in Germany removed his gallbladder. Mubarak's extended absence from the country for medical reasons hit the stock market and reminded Egyptians that the president, in power for almost three decades, has not named a successor. While his son Gamal is widely touted as a contender, both father and son deny plans to install him. Other names mooted include former nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei, who in his first public appearance since returning to Egypt last month was meet by supporters chanting "Your are our hope" at Friday prayers.