President Obama's statement on Egypt
February 10th, 2011
10:54 PM ET

President Obama's statement on Egypt

Following is the text of a statement released Thursday night by U.S. President Barack Obama on Egypt:

"The Egyptian people have been told that there was a transition of authority, but it is not yet clear that this transition is immediate, meaningful or sufficient. Too many Egyptians remain unconvinced that the government is serious about a genuine transition to democracy, and it is the responsibility of the government to speak clearly to the Egyptian people and the world. The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity.

"As we have said from the beginning of this unrest, the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people. But the United States has also been clear that we stand for a set of core principles. We believe that the universal rights of the Egyptian people must be respected, and their aspirations must be met. We believe that this transition must immediately demonstrate irreversible political change, and a negotiated path to democracy. To that end, we believe that the emergency law should be lifted. We believe that meaningful negotiations with the broad opposition and Egyptian civil society should address the key questions confronting Egypt's future: protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens; revising the Constitution and other laws to demonstrate irreversible change; and jointly developing a clear roadmap to elections that are free and fair.

"We therefore urge the Egyptian government to move swiftly to explain the changes that have been made, and to spell out in clear and unambiguous language the step by step process that will lead to democracy and the representative government that the Egyptian people seek. Going forward, it will be essential that the universal rights of the Egyptian people be respected. There must be restraint by all parties. Violence must be forsaken. It is imperative that the government not respond to the aspirations of their people with repression or brutality. The voices of the Egyptian people must be heard.

"The Egyptian people have made it clear that there is no going back to the way things were: Egypt has changed, and its future is in the hands of the people. Those who have exercised their right to peaceful assembly represent
the greatness of the Egyptian people, and are broadly representative of Egyptian society. We have seen young and old, rich and poor, Muslim and Christian join together, and earn the respect of the world through their non-violent calls for change. In that effort, young people have been at the forefront, and a new generation has emerged. They have made it clear that Egypt must reflect their hopes, fulfill their highest aspirations, and tap their boundless potential. In these difficult times, I know that the Egyptian people will persevere, and they must know that they will continue to have a friend in the United States of America."

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Filed under: Barack Obama • Egypt
soundoff (27 Responses)
  1. Tomaz

    I had this dream of uprising in the us. It was early last month when i came from skool only to have two men come to me and showed me the millions of protesters saying: it's over now. Too much of govt. Foul plays were too much we revolt and could not be stopped by anyone. One of the men gave me a gun and disappeared. My dreams is a sign of these uprisings against corrupt govt. Practices. There's more to come. Congrat to all egyptians!

    February 11, 2011 at 11:09 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Tomaz

    Killed 2millions plus for oil. NOW THAT'S GENOCIDE AGAINST THE ARABS!!! ANY JUSTICE FOR THE CRIMES AGAINST EM AND AGAINST HUMANITY? NO! THAT WHY UN AND THE ICC IS DEEMED WESTERN CONSPIRACY ORGANIZATIONS AGAINST ONLY NON WESTERN NATIONS AND THOSE WHO REFUSES TO DO EU AND NATO'S WILL AGAINST THEIR OWN PEOPLE'S INTERESTS. SHAME ON THE ICC AND UN!!!

    February 11, 2011 at 11:15 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Warface

    Cher Egypt. Whatever u do, just remember the most important friends of your enemy Mubarak the traitor. Give them no room to change things around in their own favour. U don't want to wait another 30yrs of indirect control and oppressions in your own land and loose many more lives seeking freedom for the next generation. May God protection your freedom, oh Egypt. May your liberated sons and daughters prosper vastly from this day forward. AMEN!

    February 12, 2011 at 2:04 am | Report abuse |
  4. ****Waldo****

    Tomaz y r u mad.

    February 12, 2011 at 9:11 am | Report abuse |
  5. Lisababy

    @Global gary46 Mr Obama is NOT A MUSLIM! If you have nothing informed to say then shut you yammoring skullcave until you do. More propaganda is not what America needs. We get enough of that from the rethuglicants who want us right where the Egyptian people were fore 30 years. Just say no to bullsh!t!

    February 12, 2011 at 10:00 am | Report abuse |
  6. Warface

    @Cesar: wise eyes my friend! WASHING IS MAD BECAUSE THEIR PLANTED AND PROTECTED ANIMAL IS GONE! BUT THIS TIME AROUND THEY TRIED ALL BUT CAME SHOT. PRETENDERS! @**WALDO**: IM MAD BECAUSE IT IS A SHAME HOW USELESS POLITICIANS HAVE BECOME. EVERYONE DESERVE TO LIVE FREE. BUT WHILE WE LIVE AND MOVE FREELY IN THIS COUNTRY OUR GOVT DO THE MOST SADDEST THING TO OTHER NATIONS LIKE NATIONS IN AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST WITHOUT A SENSE OF COMPASSION JUST FOR RESOURCES. IT MAKES ME MAD WHEN I READ POSTS WRITTEN BY PEOPLE "AMERICA 1ST". THEY'RE THE REASON POLITICIANS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF US AND THINK WE'RE ALL STUPID, WHEN CLEARLY THERE ARE POEPLE LIKE U (CESAR) AND PHIL! I HATE INJUSTICE WITH GREAT PASSION!!!

    February 12, 2011 at 3:14 pm | Report abuse |
    • RUFFNUTT

      Thank you,Warface. I feel exactly the same way you do.

      February 14, 2011 at 8:23 am | Report abuse |
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