Egypt: PM calls for orderly transition to democratic government
Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama have called for an 'orderly transition' to a democratic government in Egypt.
In a phone call to President Obama, they agreed that they wanted to see Egypt offer its people greater rights and freedoms, as well as the protection of the rule of law.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said:
The Prime Minister spoke to King Abdullah of Jordan this afternoon. They discussed the situation in Egypt and King Abdullah updated the Prime Minister on his reform agenda in Jordan.
The Prime Minister spoke to President Obama this evening. The leaders discussed their shared and deep concern at the unfolding situation in Egypt.
The Prime Minister and the President agreed that the Egyptian Government must respond peacefully to the ongoing protests. They condemned the violence of recent days. It was essential that the Egyptian people were able to exercise the rights of freedom of assembly and of expression. The Prime Minister made clear that restrictions on the media and internet were unacceptable and should be lifted immediately.
The Prime Minister and President Obama were united in their view that Egypt now needed a comprehensive process of political reform, with an orderly, Egyptian-led transition leading to a Government that responded to the grievances of the Egyptian people and to their aspirations for a democratic future.
There was also a brief discussion of the Doha trade round, on which they agreed on the importance of concluding negotiations in 2011.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister issued a joint statement with President Sarkozy of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany on the situation in Egypt.
The three leaders called for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to display moderation and avoid the use of violence against protesters.
They also asked that respect be shown for human rights and democratic freedoms and called for the holding of free and fair elections.
Read more: Foreign Secretary on situation in Egypt
Read more: Joint statement on Egypt