Merkel urges Egypt's Mubarak to prevent violence
German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to restrain security forces from violent action in an "extensive" phone call on Sunday afternoon, Merkel's spokesman said. "The Chancellor again insisted that the Egyptian security forces refrain from violence and that freedom of assembly and communication be allowed," spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement.
"She expressed expectations that the president and his new government take a committed approach to the announced reforms," the statement said. "The Chancellor said it was essential to conduct dialogue with the people, especially the youth, and to respond to their justifiable concerns," it added. (Reuters)
