(BBC) — Prime Minister David Cameron has issued a joint call with US President Barack Obama for an “orderly transition” to a democratic government in Egypt.
The leaders agreed a “comprehensive process of political reform” was needed in the north African country.
Foreign Secretary William Hague warned Egypt could fall to extremists unless there were peaceful reforms.
Demonstrators are back on Egypt’s streets for a sixth day, demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the prime minister and Mr Obama agreed that the Egyptian government must respond peacefully to the ongoing protests.
“They condemned the violence of recent days. It was essential that the Egyptian people were able to exercise the rights of freedom of assembly and of expression,” she said.
“The prime minister and President Obama were 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.”
‘Free and fair’
Mr Cameron also made it clear that restrictions on the media and internet were unacceptable and should be lifted immediately, she added.
Mr Cameron also spoke to King Abdullah of Jordan on Sunday about the ongoing violence, amid fears that extremists could try to exploit the situation.
The prime minister has already spoken to President Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for 30 years, to express his “grave concern” about violence against the anti-government dissidents.
Clashes are reported to have left at least 100 people dead since rallies began on Tuesday in cities including Cairo, Suez and Alexandria. Thousands more have been injured.
The Foreign Office upgraded its travel advice on Sunday, telling British nationals in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez to leave if it was safe for them to do so.
Mr Hague said the welfare of British nationals was his top priority and he had sent extra consular staff to Cairo airport, which was not functioning properly due to a lack of staff.
The foreign secretary also spoke of the political situation in the country.
He told the BBC: “It’s to avert those risks and meet the legitimate grievances and aspirations of the Egyptian people that we are urging the Egyptian authorities… to create a more broadly-based government.”
He said reforms should be “real and visible” and elections “free and fair”.
Mr Hague is due to hold talks with his EU counterparts in Brussels on Monday.
The leaders agreed a “comprehensive process of political reform” was needed in the north African country.
Foreign Secretary William Hague warned Egypt could fall to extremists unless there were peaceful reforms.
Demonstrators are back on Egypt’s streets for a sixth day, demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the prime minister and Mr Obama agreed that the Egyptian government must respond peacefully to the ongoing protests.
“They condemned the violence of recent days. It was essential that the Egyptian people were able to exercise the rights of freedom of assembly and of expression,” she said.
“The prime minister and President Obama were 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.”
‘Free and fair’
Mr Cameron also made it clear that restrictions on the media and internet were unacceptable and should be lifted immediately, she added.
Mr Cameron also spoke to King Abdullah of Jordan on Sunday about the ongoing violence, amid fears that extremists could try to exploit the situation.
The prime minister has already spoken to President Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for 30 years, to express his “grave concern” about violence against the anti-government dissidents.
Clashes are reported to have left at least 100 people dead since rallies began on Tuesday in cities including Cairo, Suez and Alexandria. Thousands more have been injured.
The Foreign Office upgraded its travel advice on Sunday, telling British nationals in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez to leave if it was safe for them to do so.
Mr Hague said the welfare of British nationals was his top priority and he had sent extra consular staff to Cairo airport, which was not functioning properly due to a lack of staff.
The foreign secretary also spoke of the political situation in the country.
He told the BBC: “It’s to avert those risks and meet the legitimate grievances and aspirations of the Egyptian people that we are urging the Egyptian authorities… to create a more broadly-based government.”
He said reforms should be “real and visible” and elections “free and fair”.
Mr Hague is due to hold talks with his EU counterparts in Brussels on Monday.
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