Iraq's prime minister told AFP on Saturday that Egyptians have the right to democracy, after nearly two weeks of deadly protests in Egypt demanding that President Hosni Mubarak step down.
"I wish the Egyptian people to achieve democracy and partnership," Nuri al-Maliki said in an interview.
"The people have the right to express what they want without being persecuted or prevented from their right to express themselves," the prime minister said.
His comments came as international calls for Mubarak's resignation grew louder.
US President Barack Obama on Friday hinted that the veteran leader should step down, saying the "patriot" should "listen to what is being voiced by the Egyptian people."
Maliki, whose country's longtime dictator Saddam Hussein was ousted in a 2003 US-led invasion, said that for a leader to rule for three decades — as Mubarak has done — was not democracy.
"One of the characteristics of a lack of democracy could be when a leader rules for 30 or 40 years," Maliki said. "It is a difficult issue for people, may be intolerable, and change is necessary," he added.
Maliki said his advice to Egyptians was to eschew violence, and that the country's leaders should not consider giving up power as a defeat.
"Our advice to the people is practise your right without sabotage and violence and destruction to your country because it is your country," the Iraqi leader said.
"Our advice to officials is, don't consider it a defeat when you give an opportunity to others and give your positions — your country needs this development."
In a 12th day of protests in Cairo on Saturday, gunfire crackled on the square where thousands spent a chilly night encircled by tanks.
Ferocious clashes between Mubarak loyalists and the protesters on Wednesday and Thursday left at least eight people dead and more than 800 hurt. Egyptian journalist Ahmed Mohammed Mahmud died on Friday of gunshot wounds.
According to UN estimates, more than 300 people have been killed since the protests began.
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