US urges Egypt to handle protests peacefully

Antara News, Wed, January 26 2011 12:58

Washington (ANTARA News) - The United States on Tuesday urged Egyptian authorities to handle protests peacefully after three people were killed in unprecedented rallies against President Hosni Mubarak`s 30-year rule.

"We are monitoring the situation in Egypt closely. The United States supports the fundamental right of expression and assembly for all people," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said in a statement.

"All parties should exercise restraint, and we call on the Egyptian authorities to handle these protests peacefully," Crowley said in remarks that were more pointed than those made earlier by his boss, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

He recalled a speech Clinton gave in Qatar on January 13 when she urged Arab leaders to work with their peoples to implement reforms or see extremists fill the void.

"People across the Middle East -- like people everywhere -- are seeking a chance to contribute and to have a role in the decisions that will shape their lives," he said, summarizing her speech before Arab leaders.

"We want to see reform occur, in Egypt and elsewhere, to create greater political, social, and economic opportunity consistent with people`s aspirations," Crowley said.

"The United States is a partner of Egypt and the Egyptian people in this process, which we believe should unfold in a peaceful atmosphere," said the spokesman.

"We have raised with governments in the region the need for reforms and greater openness and participation in order to respond to their people`s aspirations -- and we will continue to do so," he pledged.

During a press conference with Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez, Clinton said the United States backs "the fundamental right of expression and assembly for all people and we urge that all parties exercise restraint and refrain from violence.

"But our impression is that the Egyptian government is stable, and is looking for ways to respond to the legitimate needs and interests of the Egyptian people," the chief US diplomat said.