23/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Ashton on latest developments in Egypt. On Friday 23 November, the spokesperson for the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton told EUROPE that the EU has taken note of the recent statement of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi the day before saying that he was going to extend his power and dismiss Egypt's public prosecutor. “It is of the utmost importance that the democratic process be completed in accordance with the commitments undertaken by the Egyptian leadership on the separation of powers, the independence of justice, the protection of fundamental freedoms and the holding of democratic parliamentary elections as soon as possible”, he said. Clashes took place in Alexandria on Friday between the president's supporters and opponents. In the view of the Nobel Prize winner and opponent of the president, Mohamed ElBaradei, Morsi has proclaimed himself the “new pharaoh” by enlarging his power and positioning himself above justice. (CG/transl.fl)