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Cameron 'disappointed' at Mubarak's cabinet changes

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Feb 1, IRNA -- International pressure increased on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Tuesday with Prime Minister David Cameron suggesting that his announced cabinet changes did not go far enough.

Foreign Secretary William Hague also announced in parliament that he is sending a chartered plane to Egypt to evacuate British tourists who wish to return to the UK, while US government ordered all non-emergency embassy and other government personnel to leave.

Cameron’s spokesman repeated that Britain has already told the Egyptian government it is important “to listen to the aspirations of its people.”

“That means a transition to a broad-based government including opposition figures that will produce real political change,” the spokesman said at his daily briefing.

“It is clear from yesterday's cabinet appointments that this is not yet happening and we consider that to be disappointing. Many of the appointees served in previous governments or have ties to the current regime,” he said.

Egyptians held by far their biggest demonstration in Cairo and other cities Tuesday since protests began over a weeks ago to force Mubarak from power.

After speaking with the Egyptian president on Sunday, Cameron expressed “grave concern about the ongoing events, particularly violence on the streets” and “emphasised that violent repression of peaceful protest was wrong and counter-productive.”

He also spoke to US President Barak Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Jordan’s monarch King Abdullah and repeated on Monday that Egypt must go down the path of reform and not repression.

King Abdullah subsequently announced on Tuesday that he had dismissed his cabinet and appointed a new prime minister amid large street protests that have been having a domino effect throughout the Arab world.

On Monday Labour backbencher John McDonnell told parliament that although he appreciated that the British government does not want to be seen interfering directly in the affairs of another state, it was open to other MPs to “express the view that it is time for Mubarak to go.”