ANKARA – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday to meet his people’s desire for change as he voiced support for democratic reform in the whole Middle East. In a weekly speech to his party’s lawmakers in parliament, Erdogan described his appeal to Mubarak as very sincere advice, a very sincere warning.
“Hear the cry of the people and their extremely humane demands. Meet the people’s desire for change without hesitation… In today’s world, freedoms cannot be postponed or overlooked,” Erdogan said.”We hope that those disturbances (in Egypt) will end as soon as possible… and the legitimate and reasonable demands of the people will be met,” he added.
Erdogan, who has won widespread popularity in the Arab world with frequent outbursts against Israel, struck also an emotional note, urging Mubarak to consider how he would be remembered after his death. “We are all mortals… What matters is to be remembered with respect… We should listen to the voice of our conscience and the voice of our people and be ready either for their good prayers or curses,” he said.
Erdogan spoke as Egyptians massed for the biggest day of protests in their campaign to oust Mubarak. He appealed also to Tunisia’s interim government, which took office last month after violent protests ousted strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, to press ahead with reform and ensure the widest possible inclusion and representation in politics.
