Egyptian diplomats on Tuesday signed a statement urging the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to pledge to conduct presidential elections and hand over power to civilians by mid-2012 at the latest.
The statement, which was signed by 245 diplomats, called on the governing military council to "stop systematic assaults by security on protesters."
Among those who signed the statement were ambassadors and advisers at the Foreign Ministry, including Ambassor to Russia Alaa al-Hadidy and ministry spokesperson Amr Roshdy.
Al-Masry Al-Youm obtained a copy of the statement, which emphasizes the SCAF’s responsibility to preserve security and safeguard the right of peaceful protest, as is outlined in international charters and agreements.
The statement says that citizens bestow legitimacy on authorities through voting in transparent elections.
Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr cut short his visit to Kuwait and returned to Cairo early Tuesday morning following the resignation of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf’s government.
Informed sources at the Cairo International Airport said Amr was scheduled to return on Wednesday following his participation in meetings of the Deauville Partnership and the Future Forum on Tuesday.
The announcement of the government's resignation prompted Amr to cut short his visit and return to Egypt via Bahrain, due to the absence of direct flights between Egypt and Kuwait on Tuesday.
Amr was expected to deliver a speech at the Future Forum in which he would address Egypt's transitional period and the interim government's road map to conduct elections and write a new constitution.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
