Brussels, 01/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 1 February, the leader of the Socialist Group (S&D) at the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, called on the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, to resign and open the way for democratic and socio-economic reforms demanded by the Egyptian people. The German MEP has thus distanced himself from the much more cautious position advocated on Monday by foreign affairs ministers on the future of Mubarak. Foreign ministers did not give an opinion on what future should await Mubarak but called on the authorities to set up a government of national unity in charge of ensuring an orderly transition to the holding of free and fair elections (EUROPE 10305). In a press release, the head of the socialists at the EP, Schulz, made it clear that he considers that it is obvious that the Egyptian president “must go. He should lead a wave of resignations in repressive regimes across the region”. He also called on the EU to mobilise resources to support reform in the Arab world, as well as the democratic aspirations of the people in all countries of the region. (H.B./transl.fl)