Middle East: US first lady Laura Bush stepped into Egyptian politics on the side of President Hosni Mubarak yesterday, commending his initiative in changing the constitution and saying political reform must happen slowly.
Egyptians will vote tomorrow in a referendum on a constitutional amendment introducing the country's first direct presidential elections with more than one candidate.
With a pyramid as her backdrop, she brushed aside criticism of the long-serving Mr Mubarak, saying he was "wise" to move slowly to change the system of choosing the president.
"You have to be slow as you do each of these steps," she told reporters. "You know that each step is a small step, that you can't be quick . . . I think he's been very bold and wise to take the first step," she said.
Egyptian opposition groups say that step has not been bold enough and that change is too slow. - (Reuters)