Obama and Clinton Reaffirm U.S. Support of Egypt Democracy

Following up a phone call that was made several months ago, President Barack Obama called Egyptian Field Marshall Hussein Tantawi once again to “reaffirm the close partnership between the United States and Egypt and to underscore the United States’ support for Egypt’s transition to democracy.” Obama, while offering congratulatory remarks on the progressive steps that Egypt’s government has already taken toward democracy, underscored the importance of upholding universal principles, and emphasized the importance that civil society (including non-governmental organizations) has in democracy. The two leaders agreed to continue close cooperation in this transitional time, especially in matters concerning counter-terrorism and regional security. Tantawi recently appointed 10 members of parliament, including five Copts. Analysts say, “Tantawi’s appointment of the five Copts is related to the low level of Coptic representation in the People’s Assembly.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also made a phone call to Egypt’s  Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr, to discuss the country’s economic and political situation, as well as events in Syria. The phone call was a follow up to Obama’s call to Tantawi, and came “as official election results showed that Egypt’s Islamists … clinched more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats.”