Protect democracy, Obama tells Morsi
2013-02-27 07:50
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Washington - US President Barack Obama warned on Tuesday
that his Egyptian counterpart Mohammed Morsi has a "responsibility to
protect" the democratic principles advanced by the 2011 uprising.
Obama "welcomed President Morsi's commitment to serving
as a president for all Egyptians, including women and people of all faiths",
the White House said, in a statement describing a phone call between the two
leaders.
Obama "emphasised president Morsi's responsibility to
protect the democratic principles that the Egyptian people fought so hard to
secure", it said, referring to the uprising that brought down longtime
autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
"President Obama encouraged president Morsi, and all
political groups within Egypt, to work to build consensus and advance the
political transition."
The two leaders also discussed the importance of
implementing economic reforms in Egypt "that have broad support and will
promote long term growth" and Obama "welcomed" Egypt's
contribution to regional peace and security.
The National Salvation Front, an umbrella opposition group,
has vowed to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections - saying their
transparency cannot be guaranteed - and has refused to join a national dialogue
with Morsi.
Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, became Egypt's
first-ever elected leader last year but has come under withering criticism from
opponents who accuse the Islamist movement of engaging in a power grab.
The NSF organised massive protests against Morsi in November
and December after he adopted now-repealed powers that shielded his decisions
from judicial review.
But the anti-Morsi protests have slowed since he pushed
through an Islamist-drafted constitution in a December referendum, with the
mass rallies giving way to smaller and often violent protests.
The White House said Secretary of State John Kerry is to
visit Egypt on March 2 and urge "Egyptians to work together to build their
democracy and promote economic stability and prosperity".
- SAPA
