Ban: Egyptian stability important for Mideast peace
UN sec.-gen. acknowledges Mubarak's importance in Israel-PA talks; says whether to force him from power is Egyptian people's decision.
By ASSOCIATED PRESSban ki moon in bishkek 311(photo credit: AP)
MUNICH — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday said the unrest in Egypt has "serious implications" for the Mideast peace process.Ban, who is in Munich for an annual security conference, told a small group of reporters Sunday that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the Egyptian government have been key in the negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel.RELATED:Reporter's Notebook: The day the music died in Cairo'Mubarak's contribution to peace won't be forgotten'He said that whether Mubarak is forced out of office is up to the Egyptian people, but the UN is concerned that whatever happens does not affect the stability of the country.Ban added, "This is why we would like to see a transition take place in an orderly and peaceful manner."Egypt's largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, said it would begin talks Sunday with the government to try to end the country's political crisis but made clear it would insist on the immediate ouster of Mubarak.About 2,000 protesters remained camped out at the central Tahrir Square early Sunday. The number usually swells to tens of thousands by early afternoon.Click here for full Jpost coverage of unrest in Egypt
