The UK will not send a delegation from London to attend the inauguration of Egyptian President-elect Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Sunday.
“The UK will be represented by Mr Steven Hackey, the deputy head of the mission in Egypt,” a UK Foreign Office spokeswoman told Ahram Online.
She confirmed that Mr James Watt, British ambassador to Cairo, will not be in Egypt on the day of the inauguration ceremony.
Last Tuesday, the UK congratulated El-Sisi, expressing its wish to work with his future government.
William Hague, the UK foreign minister, said in an official statement his country “looks forward to strengthening the broad and productive relationship” between the British and Egyptian peoples.
“We look to President-elect El-Sisi to take steps to implement the rights contained in Egypt’s constitution by opening up political space, especially with regard to freedom of expression and association,” the statement said.
The UK has repeatedly said it watches closely developments in Egypt, pledging to continue its support “for the Egyptian people in their aspirations for greater economic opportunities, political participation, freedom and rights”
Hague urged Egypt’s leaders to ensure that Egypt’s transition leads towards accountable and democratic governance, underpinned by strong and accountable institutions.
Source: Ahram Online
