Iran backs the protests in Egypt against President Hosni Mubarak,
Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Akbar Salehi said, RIA Novosti
reports, citing ISNA.
Salehi says that the protests demonstrate the need for reforms. He
condemned the USA for intervening in the internal affairs of Egypt.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that the USA and President
Barack Obama are monitoring the situation in Egypt and may introduce
adjustments to the support program for the country. The USA provided
Egypt with over $1.5 billion in 2010.
Iranian media said the "Zionist regime" in Israel supports Mubarak and
fears radical Islamists coming to power. The local press says that
Israel permitted the Egyptian authorities to bring in armed forces to
the demilitarized Sinai Peninsula to prevent disorder.
The protests in Egypt started on January 25. Protesters are demanding
economic and political reforms and resignation of the 82-year old
President Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for nearly 30 years.
Curfews were introduced in almost all cities. Mubarak dismissed the
government last Friday, but it did not stop the protests.
