Obama says reforms in Egypt 'absolutely critical'

Thu, 27 Jan 2011

Washington - Political and economic reforms are "absolutely critical" for Egypt's future, US President Barack Obama said Thursday, as mass protests seeking the ouster of President Hosny Mubarak entered their third day.

Obama, in a question-and-answer session on YouTube, said he has continued to press Mubarak to introduce reforms, while acknowledging the Egyptian leader has been a close ally on "a lot of critical issues" and a partner in the Arab-Israeli peace process.

"President Mubarak has been very helpful on a range of tough issues in the Middle East," Obama said.

Obama said the protests indicate "pent-up frustrations" about the state of Egyptian society and it is essential people in any country are free to "express legitimate grievances."

"I have always said to (Mubarak) that making sure that they are moving forward on reform - political reform, economic reform - is absolutely critical to the long-term well being of Egypt," Obama said.

So far seven people have died in violence as the Egyptian government has cracked down on protesters. Obama said neither side should resort to violence.

"My main hope right now is, is that violence is not the answer in solving these problems in Egypt," Obama said. "So the government has to be careful about not resorting to violence, and the people on the streets have to be careful about not resorting to violence."

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/364641,reforms-egypt-absolutely-critical.html.