President Obama has just given his reaction to the momentous and fast-moving events in Egypt.
Some of his comments:
There are very few moments in our lives where we have the privilege to witness history…The people of Egypt have spoken. Their voices have been heard… Egypt will never be the same…This is not the end of Egypt’s transition. It is the beginning…Egyptians have made it clear that nothing less than genuine democracy will carry the day…
And quoting and referencing to Martin Luther King Jr.: “There is something in the soul that cries out for freedom. Those were the cries that came from Tahrir Square, and the entire world has taken note.” And “It was the moral force of nonviolence, not terrorism, not mindless killing but non-violence, a moral force that bent the arc of history toward justice once more.”
The Washington Post provides reactions by other world readers in both the national language and in English.
Below are their remarks translated into English:
Egypt today is a free and proud nation. God bless -.- Egypt’s El Baradei
Egypt takes the Arab world into a new era .. Let’s make it a better one -.- Khalid Alkhalifa, foreign minister, Bahrain
Congratulations to the Egyptian people. And we hope that a system meeting the expectations of the Egyptian people will emerge -.- Ahmet Davutoglu, foreign affairs minister, Turkey
Egypt did it w Grace! God bless the people of Egypt! Wish them all the best. Egypt can chart the course for better Middle East. -.- Barham Salih, prime minister of Kurdistan region of Iraq
…what has happened today should only be the first step. Those who now run Egypt have a duty to reflect the wishes of the Egyptian people. In particular, there really must be a move to civilian and democratic rule as part of this important transition to an open, democratic and free Egypt. -.- UK Prime Minister David Cameron
Historic events in Egypt. Now we hope the Egyptian people [have] a free and democratic future. -.- Barham Salih, prime minister of Kurdistan region of Iraq
“In their eyes, you can see what power freedom can have,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said of the protesters, adding that, by stepping down, Mubarak had rendered “a last service to the Egyptian people.”
It is important now that the dialogue is accelerated, leading to a broad-based government which will respect the aspirations of, and deliver stability for, the Egyptian people. -.- Catherine Ashton, European foreign policy chief.
The Government [of Spain] desires in Egypt ‘a quick, orderly and peaceful transition to democracy.” -.- Spanish foreign affairs ministry
By standing down, Mubarak has listened to the voices of the Egyptian people. -.- Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council.
I hope that the transition in Egypt is peaceful and conducive to an effective democratic system. -.- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon.
The Washington Post also provides reactions by Capitol Hill leaders. Read them here
