Hillary Clinton's remarks on Egyptian protests

SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON DELIVERS

REMARKS ON THE SITUATION IN EGYPT

JANUARY 28, 2011

SPEAKER: SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

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(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

CLINTON: ... something about the unfolding events in Egypt.

We continue to monitor the situation very closely. We are deeply concerned about the use of violence by Egyptian police and security forces against protesters, and we call on the Egyptian government to do everything in its power to restrain the security forces.

At the same time, protesters should also refrain from violence and express themselves peacefully.

As we have repeatedly said, we support the universal human rights of the Egyptian people, including the right to freedom of expression, of association and of assembly.

We urge the Egyptian authorities to allow peaceful protests and to reverse the unprecedented steps it has taken to cut off communications.

These protests underscore that there are deep grievances within Egyptian society, and the Egyptian government needs to understand that violence will not make these grievances go away.