EU joins worldwide calls for peace in Egypt

European Union head Herman Van Rompuy called for an end to violence and bloodshed in Egypt today, where demonstrations against President Hosni Mubarak have left more than 30 dead since Tuesday.

European Union head Herman Van Rompuy called for an end to violence and bloodshed in Egypt on Saturday, where demonstrations against President Hosni Mubarak have left more than 30 dead since Tuesday.

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"I am deeply troubled by the spiral of violence leading to a situation which makes dialogue even more difficult," the EU president said in a statement. "The respect for fundamental human rights, such as the freedom of expression, the right to communicate, and the right of free assembly, as well as social inclusion are constituent elements of democracy which the Egyptian people, and in particular the young, are striving for."

"History has shown that dialogue can also lead to change if a conducive environment is built, without the use of force or a military crackdown. "I therefore call for the cessation of violence to stop bloodshed, the release of all those arrested or under house arrest for political reasons, including political figures, and to set the necessary reform process in motion."

"I sincerely hope that the promises of openness by President Mubarak will translate into concrete action."