Germany yet to back Egyptian opposition calls for Mubarak ouster
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Feb 1, IRNA -- German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Tuesday refused to support Egyptian opposition demands for the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Asked at a news conference in Berlin whether he would support demands by the Egyptian people for Mubarak to step down, Westerwelle said he would 'not comment on individuals names or personalities.'
'We are not taking side with a specific personality,' the minister added.
He said that it was 'solely up to the decision of the Egyptian nation as to who governs Egypt.'
Westerwelle urged a 'serious dialogue' between the Egyptian government and the opposition geared at paving the way for 'free and fair elections.'
Meanwhile, Germany's top diplomat went out of his way to praise the embattled Egyptian leader for his 'constructive role' in the so-called Middle East peace process which has stalled over continued construction of settlements by the Zionist regime.
A close ally of Germany in the Middle East, Egypt has been the scene of deadly mass demonstrations against the Mubarak regime over the past days.
Berlin has been a strong backer of Mubarak over what it says is his 'moderating role in the Mideast peace process.'
German officials have privately voiced deep concern over the possible fall of the western-backed Mubarak government and its profound repercussions for Israeli-Egyptian ties.
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