France takes note of promise of new elections in Egypt

The French government said late Wednesday that it had taken note of the organisation of new elections in Egypt after a transition period following the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi by the Egyptian army earlier in the day. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement that Paris wanted these elections to be prepared democratically and they should take place in a peaceful climate. "In the much deteriorated situation and with extreme tension in Egypt, new elections have finally been announced after a period of transition," Fabius said. "France has registered this (and) wants these commitments to be prepared through respect for civil peace, pluralism, individual freedoms and keeping the gains of the democratic transition so that the Egyptian people can freely choose their leaders and their future," the Foreign Minister added. Morsi has said he is the democratically elected president of Egypt and will not step down. He was elected a year ago with 51.7 percent of votes in a relatively uncontested ballot. The military stepped in Wednesday after millions of Egyptians demonstrated for the ouster of Morsi, whom they said had mismanaged the economy and not governed for all Egyptians. Morsi has also millions of supporters and there are fears that the tense climate in Egypt could degenerate into serious violence.