UN Chief Urges Caution
Source: Agencies |
February 7, 2011, Monday
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THE United Nations yesterday drove home a warning from Western nations that a transition to democracy in Egypt should not be rushed to avoid worsening the crisis and destabilizing the entire Middle East.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon backed calls at a security conference in Munich from the United States and Europe for a rapid change of power in Egypt followed by a more sedate transition through democracy and eventually free elections.
Ban told reporters he had urged authorities in Cairo "to make the necessary changes and reforms as soon as possible. I hope the leaders of Egypt heed the calls of their own people."
That was in tune with the message delivered in Munich by US Secretary Hillary Clinton, Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel that 82-year-old President Hosni Mubarak should step down now, if that is what the Egyptian people want.
Asked about the debate over whether Mubarak should leave immediately as protesters demand or stay to oversee reform, Ban answered: "It's something which should be left to the Egyptian people."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon backed calls at a security conference in Munich from the United States and Europe for a rapid change of power in Egypt followed by a more sedate transition through democracy and eventually free elections.
Ban told reporters he had urged authorities in Cairo "to make the necessary changes and reforms as soon as possible. I hope the leaders of Egypt heed the calls of their own people."
That was in tune with the message delivered in Munich by US Secretary Hillary Clinton, Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel that 82-year-old President Hosni Mubarak should step down now, if that is what the Egyptian people want.
Asked about the debate over whether Mubarak should leave immediately as protesters demand or stay to oversee reform, Ban answered: "It's something which should be left to the Egyptian people."
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