Embattled Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak should make way for "an orderly transition" towards democracy, European Union foreign ministers said on Monday dpa reported.
Mubarak is being challenged by unprecedented mass protests, now in their seventh consecutive day. His regime has reacted by cracking down on protesters, with unconfirmed medical reports indicating that more than 150 people died in the clashed.
In a statement, EU heads of diplomacy urged "Egyptian authorities to embark on an orderly transition through a broad-based government leading to a genuine process of substantial democratic reform."
The process should be conducted in "full respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, paving the way for free and fair elections," ministers added.
The bloc condemned the bloodshed that took place in recent days and called upon authorities to "immediately release all peaceful demonstrators who have been detained