WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday urged Egypt to continue its transition to democracy "in a just, transparent and inclusive manner," following an opening round of voting.
"I congratulate the Egyptian people for a peaceful, successful start to their election process," Clinton said in a statement released in Washington during a visit to Myanmar.
"The United States stresses the importance of Egypt’s transition to democracy continuing in a just, transparent and inclusive manner," the chief US diplomat said.
"The American people will continue to stand by the people of Egypt as they move toward a democratically elected civilian government that respects universal human rights and will meet their aspirations for dignity, freedom, and a better life."
Egypt’s Islamists claimed Wednesday they were headed for victory in the opening phase of the country’s first post-revolution election after two days of peaceful polling that won international plaudits.
Amid a violent crackdown on mass protests in Egypt against the country’s interim military rulers, the United States last Friday demanded a speedy handover of power to a civilian government.
