Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Hague urges Egypt to reform after clashes

Jon Smith
Thursday 27 January 2011 03:38 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Foreign Secretary William Hague today urged Egypt to move towards political reform to quell growing anger that has led to street protests and violent clashes between demonstrators and police.

Thousands of Egyptians have vented their rage against President Hosni Mubarak's autocratic government over two days of protests that defied a ban on public gatherings.

Baton-wielding police responded with tear gas and beatings in a crackdown that has shown no tolerance for dissent.

Egypt's largest anti-government protests in years echo the recent uprising in Tunisia.

Mr Hague said it was not for other countries to dictate who should be in power, or what their tactics should be, but told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Clearly, in so many of these countries people do have legitimate grievances, which are economic and political.

"While every country is different, and we shouldn't try to dictate what they should do, in general I do think it's important in this situation to respond positively to legitimate demands for reform, to move towards openness, transparency and greater political freedom.

"That would be my advice to Egyptian leaders."

The Egyptian government is reported to have shut down social networking sites in a bid to stop the unrest spreading, and Mr Hague said: "I would urge the Egyptian government, and I have urged the Egyptian government, to respect rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

"It would be futile over time to try to suppress such things."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in