NATO calls for swift establishment of government in Egypt

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen Thursday expressed concerns over developments in Egypt and urged all sides to show restraint and respect to the rule of law. "I am greatly concerned by the situation in Egypt and I am concerned about the reports of fighting and deaths," he told a news conference in Brussels. "Egypt is an important partner for NATO through the Mediterranean Dialogue and Egypt is a vital actor in the Middle East. So we are following the situation closely," he noted. "I call on everyone to exercise restraint and refrain from violence to respect human rights including the rights of minorities and the rule of law and to work to establish a democratic and inclusive civilian government as soon as possible," said the NATO chief. "In this critical moment it is vital for all sides to work together to reinforcing democracy in Egypt," he stressed. Asked if he thinks what happened in Egypt yesterday amounts to a military coup he replied "I dont' think it is important now a theoretical discussion on how to label what has happened. The most important thing is to find solutions". Rasmussen added that he did not expect any regional spillover from Egypt which he said was a unique case.