CAIRO: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday that Egyptian security authorities must guarantee "free and peaceful" protests, as pro-democracy activists gather in Cairo.
"We expect the Egyptian security forces to take care, that free and peaceful demonstrations are possible on this decisive Friday," Merkel said on arrival for a summit of European Union leaders in Brussels.
With the talks’ agenda having been hijacked by events in Egypt, Merkel said the 27 heads of state and government would discuss "how the European Union can be a partner for an orderly, peaceful and democratic transition in Egypt, and in Tunisia as well."
