THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron is to use a Brussels summit to push for EU sanctions on Egypt and call for an immediate end to "state-sponsored violence".
His call for tougher action has resulted in a clash with Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, and other Mediterranean leaders who regard Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, as an essential bulwark against Islamic extremism in the Middle East.
"If we see on the streets of Cairo today state-sponsored violence by thugs hired to beat up protesters, the regime will lose any remaining credibility it has in the eyes of the watching world, including Britain," Mr Cameron said.
"We have been clear that Egypt should be taking steps to show there is a clear, credible transparent path towards transition. So far the steps taken have not met the hopes of the people. EU leaders today have to come together to show they support that orderly transition."
Mr Cameron is demanding that the EU throws its weight behind an American plan for President Mubarak to resign immediately and hand power to a military-backed interim government before speedy elections. >>> Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Friday, February 04, 2011
