(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Turkish President Abdullah Gül has told Egypt's revolutionary youth that there is no place for authoritarianism in the Islamic world, urging rulers of Arab countries to make reforms for more freedom.
“Sadly, the battle [for democracy] continues in some countries today. I would like to remind rulers in Muslim Arab countries of the necessity of being realistic, of perceiving the world better and of seeing that there is already no place for authoritarian regimes in the Islamic world,” Gül told members of Egypt's January 25 Tahrir Youth on Saturday. The group is on a visit to Turkey.
But Gül also suggested that governments which do not allow for full freedom in their countries must lead these kinds of revolutions and reforms, adding that so long as the governments don't make reforms, these rulers will resist and that this will have no benefit in the end. He cited bloodshed and causalities in these countries and said these incidents “indeed deeply sadden us.”
The Turkish president said that to end this violence as soon as possible rulers must first respect their own people before all and take steps in line with the demands of their own people so that their countries come out of this process stronger.
“Everyone is obviously aware that I am speaking about countries such as Libya and other similar countries,” Gül stressed.
President Gül said Turkey is closely monitoring developments in Egypt, and Turkish-Egyptian relations will continue to be strong and the two countries will always benefit from each other's experience.
"There will be a multi-party system in Egypt from now on, and whoever the nation wants will rule the country," Gül said.
He also said all nations had overcome their fears and had been working hard to be ruled by robust and respected administrations.
Moreover, Ibrahim Al Drawi, a representative of Egypt's Freedom and Justice Party, said his party wanted Turkey and Egypt to cooperate regarding the Palestinian dispute and requested that Turkey support peace efforts among the Palestinians.
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