Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: Mubarak Needs to Hold Democratic Elections in Egypt

South Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, demanded that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak respond to mass protests by holding democratic elections.

The Egyptian people need to be afforded a peaceful venue to express their will, said Ros-Lehtinen. "Mr. Mubarak should listen to the demands of the Egyptian people for freedom and immediately schedule legitimate, democratic, internationally-recognized elections.

The U.S. should learn from past mistakes and support a process which only includes candidates who meet basic standards for leaders of responsible nations -- candidates who have publicly renounced terrorism, uphold the rule of law, recognize Egypt's international commitments including its nonproliferation obligations and its peace agreement with the Jewish state of Israel, and who ensure security and peace with its neighbors, she added. "The United States must leverage its longstanding assistance to press Mr. Mubarak to let the voice of his people be heard through legitimate democratic elections."

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