WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), and Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) today condemned the recent violence in Egypt.
“After more than a week of largely peaceful demonstrations by thousands of Egyptian citizens around the country, today witnessed a brutal assault on those assembled in Cairo’s Tahrir Square by individuals identified as supporters of the current regime,” said Chairman Cardin. “This must stop immediately, and we call on Egyptian authorities to curtail the violence and ensure the continued safety of those peaceably assembled in order to express their views.”
“We support President Obama’s call for an orderly, meaningful and peaceful transition to begin now,” said the Chairman.
Co-Chairman Hastings, who serves as the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative for Mediterranean Affairs, said “the people of Egypt have spoken and their voices must not be silenced by violence. The immediate and long-term stability of our important partner Egypt depends on the swift creation of an open and inclusive interim government to manage the transition to democracy.”
“Egypt is a long-time ally of the United States and an important country in the region. We stand ready to assist the people and the government of Egypt during this time of transition,” said the Co-Chairman.
