PM’s ‘grave concern’ over Egypt

Hundreds of protesters showed their support in London following the uprising in Egypt

David Cameron has joined his French and German counterparts to express his “deep concern” over violence in Egypt.

The prime minister issued a joint statement calling on President Hosni Mubarak to avoid violence against unarmed civilians “at all costs”.

Mr Cameron personally called the Egyptian leader urging him to take steps to build “democratic legitimacy”.

The UK Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to several Egyptian cities.

In the joint statement, Mr Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there must be full respect for human rights and democratic freedoms.

It read: “We recognise the moderating role President Mubarak has played over many years in the Middle East. We now urge him to show the same moderation in addressing the current situation in Egypt.

“We call on President Mubarak to avoid at all costs the use of violence against unarmed civilians, and on the demonstrators to exercise their rights peacefully.

“It is essential that the further political, economic and social reforms President Mubarak has promised are implemented fully and quickly and meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people.

“There must be full respect for human rights and democratic freedoms.”

Tens of thousands of protesters remain on the streets in Egypt defying a curfew and army warnings.

David Cameron said progress needed to be made in strengthening democracy

More than 70 people have been killed in the last two days, but there has been five consecutive days of violence.

A spokesperson for Mr Cameron said he expressed his “grave concern” in the phone call and emphasised that violent repression of peaceful protest was wrong and counter-productive.

“The prime minister urged the president to take bold steps to accelerate political reform and build democratic legitimacy, which should be reflected by an inclusive government with the credibility to carry this agenda forward,” the spokesman said.

Foreign Secretary William Hague has also spoken of his deep concern at the levels of violence.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued a warning against travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Luxor.

About 30,000 British tourists remain in Egypt, mostly at unaffected Red Sea resorts.

Mr Hague said the situation in the Red Sea resorts remained calm and that the FCO was in regular contact with travel operators.

Extra consular staff were also in Cairo to help British nationals, he added.

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said this was “the moment where Egypt can move from protest to progress”.

The FCO has also warned British nationals against going out during the nationwide curfew between 1600 and 0800 local time.

On Friday, it altered its travel advice for Egypt, and stressed that the warning in place for Cairo also extended to Giza, a suburb of the capital where Egypt’s most famous Pyramids and Sphinx are located.

The Nile-side city of Luxor is also affected by the advice, as it is popular with British tourists visiting its array of ancient Egyptian artefacts and ruins.

Flights are being cancelled and rescheduled to avoid travelling during the curfew and operators are cancelling excursions to the Egyptian capital.

Meanwhile, several hundred people held a noisy but peaceful demonstration at Egypt’s embassy in London on Saturday.

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