Egypt

US looking forward to listening to Egypt’s referendum observers

Jennifer Psaki, spokesperson for the US state department, said that Washington is looking forward to listening to Egyptian and international observers who monitored the referendum on the new draft constitution. 
 
She added that Washington was watching the referendum process closely and was awaiting the announcement of official results.
 
Psaki also said that the decision of who would lead Egypt in the future was up to the Egyptian people.
 
Psaki also expressed concern about the arrest of activists. 
 
"We remain deeply concerned by reports of politically motivated arrests and detentions of political activists, peaceful demonstrators and journalists in Egypt," she said.
 
She added that the Egyptian government has to provide an atmosphere for all Egyptians to practice their rights and freedoms.
 
Psaki said that the bill passed by the senate to allow aid to Egypt has given the US administration additional flexibility to deal with the issue, but that a final decision has not been made yet.
 
"US Secretary of State John Kerry first has to certify that the current leaders have held a constitutional referendum," Psaki said. "Further aid would flow if Egypt holds parliamentary and presidential elections and Kerry certifies the new government is governing democratically."
 
 
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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