Canada Encouraged by Conduct of Egyptian Vote

OTTAWA, Canada, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement regarding the presidential election in Egypt:

“The conclusion of voting in Egypt's presidential election is a key step along Egypt's path to democracy.

“We are encouraged by early reports that the overall security situation was peaceful throughout the country during the election. Preliminary results indicate the likely winner will be presidential candidate Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. We look forward to the confirmed results of the election.

“Canada is committed to supporting Egypt in making a peaceful and meaningful transition to democracy, based on respect for human rights, freedom and the rule of law. This transition is an important opportunity to give the Egyptian people the stability and prosperity they desire.”

Canada deployed four election observers to monitor the presidential election through the EU Election Observation Mission. These observers were in addition to a team deployed by the Canadian embassy in Cairo.