After speaking with Mubarak on Sunday, Cameron expressed ?grave concern about the ongoing events, particularly violence on the streets? and ?emphasised that violent repression of peaceful protest was wrong and counter-productive.?
?The prime minister urged the president to take bold steps to accelerate political reform and build democratic legitimacy, which should be reflected by an inclusive government with the credibility to carry this agenda forward,` his spokesman said.
Cameron also repeated on BBC Breakfast program Monday that Egypt must go down the path of reform and not repression following a week of unprecedented public protests.
Due to the ensuing crisis, the British premier also spoke to US President Barak Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Jordan?s monarch King Abdullah on Sunday.
Cameron?s spokesman said that the prime minister was 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,` the spokesman added.
Earlier, The British premier issued a joint statement with his French and German counterparts, saying they were deeply concerned about the ongoing events in Egypt.
?We recognise the moderating role President Mubarak has played over many years in the Middle East. We now urge him to show the same moderation in addressing the current situation in Egypt,? their joint statement said.
`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,? it added.
`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.
`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 Egyptian people have legitimate grievances and a longing for a just and better future. 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,` said the statement. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
