Egypt on November 18 said it was dismayed by Washington’s call for foreign monitors to observe the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections, describing it as meddling in its internal affairs. A statement released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the US was acting like an “overseer” and was not respecting Egypt’s sovereignty. “It seems that the US insists on not respecting the privacy of the Egyptian society and making statements that incense Egypt’s nationalism,” said the statement. Egypt has rejected calls for allowing international observers to monitor the vote saying it would be a violation of its sovereignty, instead saying local groups could do the job. In response to the Egyptian criticism, US Ambassador Margaret Scobey said the US welcomed Egypt’s stated commitment to open and free elections “including facilitating domestic monitoring by civil society groups.” “In addition, an open electoral process would include a credible and impartial mechanism for reviewing election-related complaints, a domestic election observation effort according to international standards, and the presence of international observers,”‘ she said in a statement.
EGYPT REJECTS US MEDDLING IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Egypt on November 18 said it was dismayed by Washington’s call for foreign monitors to observe the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections, describing it as meddling in its internal affairs.
