Global General

Egyptian govt to move forward with reforms

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-09 09:25

UNITED NATIONS - As anti-government demonstrations in Egypt entered their third week, the Egyptian envoy to the United Nations on Tuesday said the government will move forward in implementing reforms.

Maged Abdel Fattah Abdelazi, the Egyptian ambassador to the UN, told reporters here that Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman is ready to begin the process of amending the constitution.

The ambassador's remarks are aimed at what he said to clarify the position of the Egyptian government.

Related readings:  Egypt 'has power transfer plan'  US demands immediate end to Egypt's emergency law  Google exec behind organization of Egypt's protests  Govt, opposition meet in Egypt

"Apparently there has been some lack of communication about what are the exact positions that the Egyptian government is taking in particular on issues and what are the constitutional steps that have to be taken in order to fulfill the demands on the street in Cairo and other cities in Egypt," he said.

"So we came out with an agreement that the course of the constitutional changes will have to take its course and that this is what the powerful institution says and what our president and vice president and prime minister are working on implementing what has already been agreed," the ambassador said. "You all know that the new government is in place. You all know about the changes that have been introduced, and there has been a decision today to establish three committees."

Earlier, Suleiman announced that a committee had been formed to amend the Egypt's constitution to allow free and fair elections in September. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has voiced support for creating a timetable for a transfer of power, stating that he will not run for office after ruling the country for three decades.

The Egyptian ambassador said two other committees had been formed as a result of negotiations with opposition groups: one to ensure the implementation of the intended reforms and another investigate violent incidents that occurred in the first week of demonstrations.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters on Tuesday that an "orderly and peaceful transition is crucial" in addressing the "legitimate concerns and aspirations of the ( Egyptian) people."