Uprising in Egypt: World Leaders React

Egypt has been called the lynchpin of the Middle East. Here’s what foreign leaders have to say about the unrest that threatens to consume an entire region.

Canada
Stephen Harper said he wants “democratic development” in Egypt, but that it must be “peaceful and non-violent.” Ottawa’s refusal to publicly take a side in the events unfolding in Egypt reflects Harper’s desire to balance support for democracy with concerns that the fall of the Mubarak regime would destabilize the Middle East and endanger the security of Israel – a concern also reflected in statements out of Washington. Since Harper was elected in 2006 he has reshaped foreign policy, turning Canada into an unequivocal supporter of Israeli interests on the international stage.

U.S.
While pledging support for democratic values, so far the Obama administration has attempted to stay neutral, urging all sides to show “restraint” and calling on Mubarak to take “concrete steps that advance political reform.” Since the late 1970s, the U.S. has used Egypt as a bulwark against destabilization in the Middle East, particularly in relation to Israel, with which Egypt signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement in 1978. Washington fears that instability in Egypt could spread throughout the Middle East, and the overthrow of Mubarak could open the door for anti-Israel, anti-West Islamist groups.

Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stressed that Israel’s main objective is maintaining peaceful relations with Egypt, but reportedly instructed Israeli ambassadors to ask Western governments to tone down their public criticism of the Mubarak regime. Israel has fought four conflicts with Egypt since becoming a state in 1948, and continued commitment to the peace accord that Mubarak’s predecessor signed with Israel in 1978 is seen as key to protecting Israel from hostile Arab neighbours. Israel would prefer that Mubarak not be ousted, as there is no guarantee that any government that replaces him will continue to honour the accord.

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Egypt Timeline: What Got Us Here?

Palestine
Hamas spokesmen have said that the militant group that controls Gaza has no plans to interfere in Egypt, and claim that they are using their armed forces to ensure the integrity of Gaza’s border with Egypt. However, Hamas is a radical offshoot of Egypt’s main opposition party, the Muslim Brotherhood, and if the Brotherhood were empowered in Egypt Hamas would likely be strengthened. Reportedly, Hamas agents escaped from Egyptian prisons during mass protests last week and have since returned to Gaza.

Fatah, the party controlling the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, has refrained from speaking publicly, but President Mahmoud Abbas phoned Mubarak to express his support for the Egyptian president this past weekend. Mubarak has been a long-time supporter of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and has tried to unite Fatah and Hamas. Fatah was not elected by popular vote and is concerned that it could be ousted by an Egypt-inspired popular uprising in the West Bank, especially after the release of documents this month showed the Palestinian Authority was willing to make hugely unpopular concessions to Israel during peace talks.

U.K.
Prime Minister David Cameron has called for a “proper, orderly transition to a more democratic situation,” but has stopped short of calling for Mubarak to step aside. As it appears to be for other western nations, stability in the Middle East is seemingly the primary concern for the U.K. Egypt was a British protectorate until a series of anti-imperialist uprisings eventually led to independence in 1952, and many Egyptians still resent attempts by their former colonial power to influence domestic issues.

Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud was one of the first leaders to express vocal support for Mubarak’s embattled regime, calling the protesters “infiltrators” who were attempting to undermine Egyptian security. The Saudi king faces similar challenges to Mubarak: both are autocratic Arab leaders whose people criticize them for their close ties with the West. Analysts say Abdullah is one of many Arab leaders deeply concerned that popular unrest could spread to their countries.

Iran
Iranian Foreign Minister Ramin Mehmanparast has characterized the protesters as an “Islamic wave” seeking justice “in line with their national-religious demands.” Despite having suppressed a popular uprising within its own borders in 2009, Iran is hoping political upheaval in Egypt will install a more Tehran-friendly regime in Cairo. Egypt’s largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, is a moderate Islamist organization that could be a natural ally for Iran.

Syria
President Bashar al Assad promised to enact political reform in the wake of uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, and said the mass demonstrations represent a “new era” that will force local and foreign powers to change the way they relate to the citizens of the Middle East. Assad’s family has ruled Syria autocratically for 40 years, and while poverty and oppression are common, the regime deflects criticism from its citizens by taking a hardline stance against Israel that is widely popular. Syria has little to lose should Mubarak be deposed.

Tunisia
Tunisia’s new Foreign Minister Ahmed Ounaies said he will not lecture Egyptians on what to do and that they must chart their own course. Despite providing the inspiration for the Egyptian uprising, Tunisia is still struggling to put together a government after protests overthrew dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali Jan. 14. As yet Tunisia is in no position to take a stand or align itself with either the Mubarak regime or the opposition forces.