EU Top Diplomat Urges Mubarak to Talk With Opposition
VOA News January 31, 2011
As world leaders closely watch Egypt's turmoil, the European Union's top diplomat is urging Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to respond to the complaints of anti-government protesters and hold talks with the opposition.
Catherine Ashton said before a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday that Mr. Mubarak should answer "the legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people." She called for a immediate, "peaceful way forward" based on a dialogue with all parts of civil society.
Ashton's spokeswoman, Maya Kocijancic, told VOA the situation in Egypt will be a priority at Monday's meeting.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Middle East envoy Tony Blair said the will of the people should be expressed in "proper elections" under an atmosphere of stability.
The foreign minister of nearby Cyprus,Markos Kyprianou, says he is confident that the Egyptian president will press ahead with reforms.
U.S. President Barack Obama has called for an "orderly transition" to a more responsive government in Egypt.
British, French and German leaders also have spoken out, urging their Egyptian counterpart to "embark on a process of transformation which should be reflected in a broad-based government and in free and fair elections."
British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel did not call for Mr. Mubarak's resignation.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is following the anti-government protests in Egypt "with vigilance," and he hopes that peaceful relations will continue.
The Arab nation of more than 80 million people has a peace treaty with Israel and has played a major role as a mediator between Israelis and Palestinians.
But there is significant anti-Israel sentiment in Egypt, and analysts say Israel is concerned that a new Egyptian government may nullify that peace treaty.
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