The situation in Egypt

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life during the protests in Egypt,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Mr Støre urges the Egyptian authorities to refrain from the use of violence and to permit peaceful protests and respect basic political and economic rights.

The protests in Cairo and a number of other Egyptian cities during the past few days are the largest seen in the country in recent times. Several people have been killed, many have been injured, and large numbers of people have reportedly been detained in connection with the protests.

The protesters are calling for greater political freedom and the abolition of the emergency laws that have been in force since President Mubarak came to power in 1981.

“The freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly are basic human rights, and they are prerequisites for democratic development. The massive protests can be seen as a reaction to the tight restrictions that are imposed on the expression of political views in Egypt,” said the Foreign Minister.