India welcomes Mubarak''s decision to step down

New Delhi, Feb 11 (PTI) India today welcomed EgyptianPresident Hosni Mubarak''s decision to step down and thecommitment of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces toensure a peaceful transition of power in a time-bound manner.

"We welcome the decision of President Mubarak to stepdown in deference to the wishes of the people of Egypt,"External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said in a statementwhile reacting to the development in Egypt.

He said: "We also welcome the commitment of theSupreme Council of the Armed Forces to ensure a peacefultransition of power in a time-bound manner to establish andopen a democratic framework of governance."

Noting that India had traditionally close relationswith Egypt, he wished the people of Egypt peace, stability andprosperity.