Five EU leaders urge rapid transition in Egypt

PARIS, (Reuters) – The leaders of France, Germany,  Britain, Italy and Spain said today they were extremely  worried about the situation in Egypt and called for a rapid  transition of power.
Protests against President Hosni Mubarak have taken a  violent turn with deadly clashes between his supporters and  opponents. Mubarak supporters fired on protesters on Cairo’s  Tahrir Square today, killing at least six people.
“We are observing a deterioration of the situation in Egypt  with extreme concern,” the five European leaders said in a joint  statement issued by French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s office.
The protesters are leading an unprecedented challenge to  Mubarak’s 30-year rule. His pledge to step down by September has  not satisfied them.
“We condemn all those who use or encourage violence, which  will only worsen Egypt’s political crisis,” the statement said,  adding that attacks on journalists were “unacceptable”.
“Only a rapid and orderly transition towards a broadly  representative government will allow Egypt to overcome the  challenges that it is facing.
“This process of transition must start now,” the statement  said.