Aarab spring assets to be unfrozen

British assets of "Arab Spring regimes" will be unfrozen, according to press reports here Wednesday. Britain is working to hand over hundreds of millions of pounds of assets belonging to toppled dictators to reward and encourage the democratic governments of the Arab Spring, the Daily Telegraph and the Times newspaper revealed. Recent anti-Western riots in some Arab countries have led some analysts to conclude that the fall of dictators has created an opportunity for extremists who were previously suppressed. The UK will also give high-level military advice to Egypt's new civilian leaders to support the country's move towards democracy. British Prime Minister David Cameron was today declaring that the movement that ousted rulers in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia remains a force for good, rejecting warnings that new Arab governments are allowing Islamic militancy to flourish, the Telegraph said. The Prime Minister is attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he will meet the new rulers of Egypt and Libya. Cameron will tell Mohammed Morsi, the president of Egypt and a former Muslim Brother, that Britain is committed to supporting his elected government. The UK will try to "unfreeze" up to 100 million pounds in financial assets and property associated with Egypt's former ruler, Hosni Mubarak. A new government task force here will be set up to examine assets linked to the Mubarak family and help Morsi's government claim them. Officials will also press for changes in EU rules that stop the Government disclosing details of dictators' assets in Britain. As well as the Mubarak holdings, officials estimate that the family of Col Muammar Gaddafi of Libya had several billions of pounds worth of UK assets. Cameron will send Gen Sir David Richards, the Chief of the Defence Staff, to Egypt later this year, the reports said. Sir David's visit could pave the way for the UK to provide mentoring and training for Egyptian military officers on the importance of staying separated from politics. Recent anti-Western riots in some Arab countries have led some analysts to conclude that the fall of dictators has created an opportunity for extremists who were previously suppressed. But sources told the two papers that Cameron remained "optimistic" about the Arab Spring and wanted to encourage leaders he believes are doing the right thing. The Prime Minister wanted new Arab leaders to be "judged on their actions", sources said. He believes Morsi has taken positive steps in tackling militant groups in the Sinai along the border with Israel. Morsi retains links with the Brotherhood, which helped secure his election. That connection has prompted concerns about the government in Cairo, the Telegraph said. But it added that Cameron is backing the new leader. A senior government source said: "President Morsi is making an interesting and quite impressive start. It is going to be an absolutely key country for that region's future." The source added: "Of course everyone has concerns and worries and interests. You have got to judge people by what they do."