Friday, February 04, 2011

Egypt: AU calls for 'appropriate reforms' in Egypt


Source: Afrique en ligne, 4/02/2011  
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The African Union (AU) Friday called for ''appropriate reforms” in Egypt, where protesters have been pushing for President Hosni Mubarak's exit from power. In a statement issued here and made available to PANA, AU Commission Chairperson Jean Ping expressed regret at the continuing violent protests, which entered its 11th day Friday. He said the Egyptian authorities must institute appropriate reforms and respond to the needs of the protesters, while expressing concern at the violent protests and loss of lives.

“The Chairperson stresses the need for all stakeholders to exercise utmost restraint and to work, through dialogue, for the search of a consensual solution to the situation,” the statement said.

Ping appealed to all parties concerned to put the interest of Egypt above all other considerations and to steadfastly work towards the early resolution of the current crisis by exclusively peaceful means.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, speaking in Addis Ababa earlier Sunday, also called for similar steps in Egypt.

Ban said the UN was watching the developments in Egypt and the rest of the North African region.
Earlier, Ping had said although the AU was aware of the protests, the Egyptian authorities had assured it that the situation was under control.

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