Turkish PM calls for democratic solution in Egypt
By DPA, IANSTuesday, February 1, 2011
ISTANBUL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Tuesday called on the Egyptian leadership to ensure a democratic solution to the political unrest, the semi-official Anatolia Agency reported.
“No power can remain deaf to the democratic demands of the people. No power can remain standing in defiance of the people,” Erdogan said at a meeting of members of his ruling AK Party in the Turkish parliament.
Erdogan appealed directly to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, advising him to “listen to the people’s demands in the most humane way. Meet the people’s wish for change without hesitation”.
The Turkish premier said he had spoken on the phone with US President Barack Obama Monday night and that the two share the same views on the need for a democratic and peaceful outcome in Egypt.
Turkey has recently taken an increasingly active foreign policy role in the region and Turkish leaders have said the country should serve as a democratic model for other nations in the Middle East.
