Egypt faces many challenges that will make the transition to democracy difficult, as “transition requires an understanding of the economic and political situations,” UN Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe said in Cairo on Sunday.
Pascoe told journalists at a press conference that the UN was ready to support Egypt’s steps towards overcoming these challenges. She said that only the Egyptian people could bring about a democratic Egypt.
“We spoke with a wide range of civil society, including 20 young men and women and ministers, including those of foreign affairs and international cooperation, to discuss a wide range of Egypt’s future topics,” said Pascoe, who added that members of her delegation were “confident” that Egyptians could build a better future.
In addition to Egyptian affairs, delegation members said they had also discussed the regional situation, noting that they were “monitoring” the ongoing popular uprising in next-door Libya.
“The transformations that are taking place in the Middle East are significant. Everyone will be better off as the countries achieve democracy,” said Pascoe. She added that delegation members would meet with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on Sunday.
Delegation members also stressed that Egypt’s role in the Middle East remained “crucial and influential,” even after the 25 January uprising that led to the ouster of Egypt’s longstanding president Hosni Mubarak on 11 February. They added that Egypt had always played a “major role” in regional security.
In response to whether the UN would be willing to monitor upcoming Egyptian presidential and parliamentary elections to ensure their transparency, Pascoe said that the UN was not mandated with monitoring elections. She said that the most effective means of monitoring elections was to employ internal observers.
Pascoe went on, however, to offer Egypt UN “technical assistance.”