Foreign Office minister promotes democracy; meets with Egypt’s MB

Foreign Office minister promotes democracy; meets with Egypt’s MB

 Alistair Burt  the British foreign office minister for the Middle East is visiting Egypt for a two day visit where he is expected to discuss the direction of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process with the new generation of Egyptian political leaders.
 
According to sources Burt will meet with senior politicians and key opposition players including senior members from the country’s strongest opposition the popular Muslim Brotherhood. Former visits by Britain’s diplomats excluded talks with the MB. Burt will spend two days in Egypt analyzing   developments in the region, including the violent uprisings in Libya.
 
Burt maintained he will spend two days in Egypt analyzing the developments in the region, including the violent uprisings in Libya. He stated that he was visiting Egypt at a time of great opportunity and planned to encourage the new leaders to work quickly towards free and fair democratic elections.

In a statement Burt stated that freedom of expression was fundamental to building democracy by allowing citizens to challenge their government and make informed decisions he added that the governments needed to respond to these legitimate aspirations with reform, not repression, if they are to enhance their long-term stability and prosperity.