UNITED NATIONS: UN leader Ban Ki-moon renewed calls for Egypt's military rulers to ensure a "peaceful transition" after talks on Friday with the head of the military council, a spokesman said. Ban and Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi held telephone talks ahead of Egypt's elections which are due to start on Monday, but as tens of thousands of demonstrators massed in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding the army rulers step down. The UN leader renewed a plea "for an inclusive, orderly and peaceful transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people through transparent and credible elections leading to the establishment of civilian rule," said his spokesman Martin Nesirky. "The secretary general remains deeply concerned by the violence in Egypt over the last few days. He deplores the loss of life and the high number of injured. "He reiterates his call for the transitional authorities to guarantee the protection of human rights and civil liberties for all Egyptians." The US and other governments have also called for a quick transition to civilian rule in Egypt.
