Hillary Clinton Asks Egypt to Support a Transition

Hillary Clinton talks to Egyptian leaders

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Egyptian leaders to urge them to back a transition to civilian rule. Clinton’s trip to Egypt came during a difficult time, since the country is currently under a complex power struggle between the newly-elected Islamist Mohammed Morsi and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).

Clinton met with Morsi in Cairo last Saturday, afterwards the US Secretary of State met with Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the country’s interim ruler after Hosni Mubarak was ousted last year. Clinton and Tantawi discussed the political transition and the SCAF’s the ongoing dialogue with President Morsi.

Clinton has continually asked the military to respect the outcome of the democratic elections. During a press conference last Saturday, Clinton stated that Tantawi will work to support the military’s return to a purely national security role. (AV)