Ban phones Ashton, shares concern over situation in Egypt

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon shared with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Wednesday his deep concern over the direction of the transition in Egypt particularly the continued detentions in the country. Speaking with her over the phone following her visit to Egypt, the Secretary General said: "It was welcome and important that the EU High Representative had seen Mr. Mohamed Morsy and he reiterated his call to release Mr. Morsy and senior Muslim Brotherhood officials," according to a UN statement. They stressed the importance of an inclusive political process, which would take into account views and aspirations of all parts of Egypt's political spectrum, the statement said. The Secretary General and the EU High Representative also discussed the Middle East peace process, as Ban expressed hope for the success of the current efforts to bring the Israelis and Palestinians together at the negotiating table, and the UN's readiness to work with the EU and other partners in the Quartet to support the process, it added.