Cameron, Ban condemn 'despicable" violence in Egypt

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Feb 2, IRNA -- Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday condemned 'despicable' scenes of violence in the Egyptian capital Cairo, where supporters of President Hosni Mubarak attacked demonstrators calling for his removal.

Speaking at a joint press conference with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Cameron warned that it would be deplorable for the Egyptian government to be supporting violence in any way.

“If it turns out that the regime in any way has sponsored or tolerated this violence, that is completely unacceptable,” he said.

Reports have been that the pro-Muburak demonstration had been choreographed after protesters rejected the president’s offer to leave office at the next elections due in September.

“These are despicable scenes that we are seeing and they should not be repeated. They underline the need for political reform and frankly for that political reform to be accelerated,” Cameron said.

Ban, who is on a two-day visit to Britain, described the attacks by the pro-Mubarak demonstrators as “unacceptable situation.”

“Any attack on peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable and I condemn it. It is important at this junction to ensure that an orderly and peaceful transition should take place. I urge all the parties to engage in such a process without further delay,” he said.