WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak:
“This is a historic day in the Middle East as Egyptians moved one step closer to realizing their democratic aspirations. Now, more than ever, the people of Egypt will need the support of friends around the world as they work to develop true democratic institutions based on the rule of law, adherence to Egypt’s international commitments and respect for universally accepted human rights.
“The coming weeks will be critical in determining Egypt’s democratic path. The ruling military council has a responsibility to ensure that Egypt’s state of emergency is lifted, that constitutional reform takes place and that a suitable environment for free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections be established.
“The Egyptian people deserve government representatives that are accountable, do not espouse violence and are committed to establishing an Egypt that is a responsible actor in the international community.”
Senator Casey visited Cairo in July 2010 and met with civil society activists and government officials including Vice President Omar Suleiman and Minister of Defense Hussein Tantawi.
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