France Says Egyptian People's Choice Must be Respected
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius called Friday for the choice of the Egyptian people to be respected after parliament was dissolved and there was uncertainty over the winner of a presidential vote.
"I am concerned by the institutional developments of recent days in Egypt, following the first free presidential election that should mark a decisive step towards establishing a democratic regime," Fabius said in a statement.
"The choice of the Egyptian people must be respected," he said after Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) assumed legislative powers following a court order to dissolve the Islamist-led parliament.
The SCAF also issued decrees giving the army powers of arrest and a broad say in government policy, meaning that whoever wins Egypt's first post-Hosni Mubarak presidential election will have little power.
A delay in the presidential run-off results, which had been due on Thursday, has widely raised suspicions that the result is being negotiated rather than counted.
"The constitutional declaration of June 17 and the dissolution of parliament must not compromise the pursuit of the democratic transition and the rapid and orderly transfer of power to elected civilian authorities, which the SCAF undertook to do by July 1," he said.
"Maintaining public order must be done with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms," Fabius said.
Protesters have been in Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square since the constitutional document was issued on Sunday.
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