Washington (ANTARA News) - US President Barack Obama met his national security team Saturday to discuss the Egypt crisis, and renewed his call on the Cairo government to embrace reform and show restraint towards protesters.

The hour-long meeting included Vice President Joe Biden, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, and senior foreign policy and security officials, the White House said in a statement.

"The president was updated on the situation in Egypt," the statement said quoted by AFP.

"He reiterated our focus on opposing violence and calling for restraint; supporting universal rights; and supporting concrete steps that advance political reform within Egypt."

Meanwhile British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Egypt`s

Hosni Mubarak to avoid violence "at all costs" in a joint statement Saturday.

The three leaders called on Egypt`s embattled president to commit to change in response to what they said were the "legitimate grievances" of his people.

"We call on President Mubarak to avoid at all costs the use of violence against unarmed civilians, and on the demonstrators to exercise their rights peacefully," said the statement.

They issued their appeal as medics in Egypt said at least 80 people had been killed across the country and thousands injured since the unrest began, and as a security offical reported more deadly clashes.

"The Egyptian people have legitimate grievances and a longing for a just and better future," their statement added.

"We urge President Mubarak to embark on a process of transformation which should be reflected in a broad-based government and in free and fair elections."

Mubarak appointed Egypt`s military intelligence chief as his first-ever vice president and named a new premier Saturday, after promising political and economic reform in a televised address the night before.

"It is essential that the further political, economic and social reforms President Mubarak has promised are implemented fully and quickly and meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people," the statement from the three leaders added.

"There must be full respect for human rights and democratic freedoms, including freedom of expression and communication, including use of telephones and the Internet, and the right of peaceful assembly."

The leaders said they also recognised the moderating role Mubarak had long played in the Middle East.

"We now urge him to show the same moderation in addressing the current situation in Egypt."

(M016)

Editor: Suryanto
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