Obama calls world leaders to discuss Egypt situation

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Feb 6 (PTI) US President Barack Obama calledseveral world leaders to discuss the current situation inEgypt, emphasising the need for immediate beginning of an"orderly peaceful transition", the White House has said.

Obama spoke to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of theUAE, British Prime Minister David Cameron and ChancellorAngela Merkel of Germany, the White House said.

"The President discussed his serious concern about thetargeting of journalists and human rights groups, andreaffirmed that the government of Egypt has a responsibilityto protect the rights of its people and to release immediatelythose who have been unjustly detained," a White Housestatement said yesterday.

"The President emphasised the importance of an orderly,peaceful transition, beginning now, to a government that isresponsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people,including credible, inclusive negotiations between thegovernment and the opposition," it said.

Noting that the leaders agreed to stay in close contactgoing forward, the White House said, Obama and Merkel alsoreviewed developments in the broader Middle East, includingthe Quartet meeting in Munich.