29/01/2011 10:01
Obama calls on Mubarak to respect rights of Egyptian people
US President Barack Obama called Friday for the Egyptian government to respect the rights of its people, following days of protests demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, DPA reports.
'What's needed right now are concrete steps that address the demands of the Egyptian people,' Obama said.
The US leader spoke from the White House, shortly after telephoning with Mubarak, who had just given his own address vowing not to step down but announcing that he was firing his cabinet.
Obama said he told Mubarak that he needed to follow through on his promise of reforms.
'He has a responsibility to give meaning to those words,' Obama said.
He stressed the United States' chief concern was the prevention of violence, calling on both the government and protesters to act peacefully.