PARIS, (Reuters) – The leaders of France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain said today they were extremely worried about the situation in Egypt and called for a rapid transition of power.
Protests against President Hosni Mubarak have taken a violent turn with deadly clashes between his supporters and opponents. Mubarak supporters fired on protesters on Cairo’s Tahrir Square today, killing at least six people.
“We are observing a deterioration of the situation in Egypt with extreme concern,” the five European leaders said in a joint statement issued by French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s office.
The protesters are leading an unprecedented challenge to Mubarak’s 30-year rule. His pledge to step down by September has not satisfied them.
“We condemn all those who use or encourage violence, which will only worsen Egypt’s political crisis,” the statement said, adding that attacks on journalists were “unacceptable”.
“Only a rapid and orderly transition towards a broadly representative government will allow Egypt to overcome the challenges that it is facing.
“This process of transition must start now,” the statement said.
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