Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday sought to assure a sceptical civil society that the parliamentary elections to be held in the country this month would be free.

Addressing a conference of his ruling National Democratic Party, Mubarak promised to hold a free election later this month, a day after rights groups raised concerns over restrictions on the opposition.

“I will reaffirm that I anticipate, and the party anticipates, that the elections will be free and have integrity,” Mubarak told the conference at an address in which he also sought to dispel rumours about his health.

Egypt’s civil society organisations have raised concerns over the conditions ahead of the elections, denouncing restrictions on opposition candidates.

A coalition of rights groups has said that they would judge the government’s conduct of the upcoming elections as a lead up to the more important presidential elections scheduled for held next year.

Responding to the concerns, the president said the elections would be monitored by both the high commission for elections as well as the Egyptian civil organisations.

Mubarak’s speech came at a time when rumours are rife about his health, and speculation was that the annual party congress would have to be postponed.

Mubarak delivered the 29-minute speech standing and he appeared to be in a good state of health.

Among other things, he said his party would work for the country’s poor who have not yet received the benefits of the government’s economic reforms.

Mubarak, however, did not hint at whether he will run again for presidency.

Right groups fear a repeat of the violence that had marked the last parliamentary elections in 2005 when 14 people were killed.

The elections saw the banned group Muslim Brotherhood gain 20 per cent of seats in the parliament.

The group, which registers its candidates as independents, has fielded 134 candidates for this year’s election.

The election committee has already rejected four Muslim Brotherhood candidates, including the leader of its parliamentary bloc.