Mubarak family not included in Egypt asset freeze request: EU

BRUSSELS - The Egyptian government’s request for a freeze on the assets of members of the country’s former ruling elite does not involve former President Hosni Mubarak or his family, a European Union official said Tuesday.

There were conflicting reports Monday on whether the bloc would sanction Mubarak, whose assets have already been frozen by Switzerland.

“EU member states have received a request from the foreign minister of Egypt yesterday for the freezing of assets of some high-ranking officials … but not for former president Mubarak and his family,” said Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

An EU source told the DPA, the request targeted seven officials, but Kocijancic would not confirm the number.

EU diplomats were expected to discuss the issue Tuesday, ahead of regular talks of the bloc’s foreign ministers on late Sunday and all-day Monday, where Egypt is set to feature highly on the agenda, Kocijancic said.

“It is for the member states to say how we go forward and to take the necessary decisions,” the spokeswoman added.