The chancellor held a lengthy telephone conversation with Mubarak in the afternoon on the latest developments in Egypt, chancellery spokesman Steffen Seibert was quoted as saying.
Merkel stressed it was crucial for the Egyptian government to enter into a dialogue with the population, especially the young people, and `respond to their legitimate demands,` according to Seibert.
She also urged Mubarak to ensure that Egypt`s security forces refrain from using violence against protesters who on Sunday took to the streets for the sixth consecutive day to push for political reforms.
Meanwhile, the German leader pressed the Egyptian president to ensure the right to demonstrate as well as freedom in the wake of Cairo`s decision to sever Internet links and ban Arab television news channel al-Jazeera for its reporting of the protests.
Merkel voiced the hope that Mubarak would swiftly deliver on his pledge for reforms. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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