Obama to Mursi: Democracy about More than Elections

Local Editor

US President Barack Obama called Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi to urge him to respond to mass opposition demonstrations and said the political crisis could only be resolved by talks, the White House said on Tuesday.

Obama also called on both sides to ensure rallies stayed peaceful, after the death toll in clashes between rival protesters since Sunday reached at least 16 people.
The president of the United States, "told President Mursi that the United States is committed to the democratic process in Egypt and does not support any single party or group," the White House said.

"President Obama encouraged President Mursi to take steps to show that he is responsive to their concerns, and underscored that the current crisis can only be resolved through a political process," it said in a statement.
Obama, who is in Tanzania at the end of an eight-day visit to Africa, urged Mursi to create an inclusive political process.

"Democracy is about more than elections," the statement said. "It is also about ensuring that the voices of all Egyptians are heard and represented by their government, including the many Egyptians demonstrating throughout the country."

Obama repeated his concern about reports of violence during rallies, particularly reports of sexual assaults against women. He urged Mursi to make clear to his supporters that all forms of violence were unacceptable, the statement said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team