The Vice President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr. Omar Suleiman, announcedtonight that President Mubarak has resigned from the Presidency and handed over power to the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

Turkey has supported the legitimate demands for democracy and freedom of the brotherly people of Egypt from the very outset of the mass demonstrations in Egypt, and expressed its hope for a peaceful transition to a participatory andpluralistic order in full respect of human rights.

We sincerely hope that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, acting with common sense and restraint, will transfer power to a new administrationto be established through free and fair elections as soon as possible and will provide for the transition of the country to a constitutional democracy shaped by the will of the Egyptian people.

We wholeheartedly believe that, given its deep rooted state tradition, Egypt will emerge from these developments stronger than before. The international community should mobilize its full efforts to prevent Egypt from confronting economic hardships or any other negative consequences during this process.

As always, Turkey will continue to stand by the friendly country ofEgypt and its brotherly people.