Egypt condemns ‘oppressive’ Syria

Egypt’s president has told a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (Nam) that the Syrian uprising is a “revolution against an oppressive regime”.Mohamed Mursi, making the first visit to Iran by an Egyptian leader since 1979, said the movement had an “ethical duty” to support the uprising.His comments prompted a walkout by the Syrian delegation.The Nam summit, which represents 120 countries, will also discuss human rights and nuclear disarmament.Mr Mursi used his speech to tell delegates: “Our solidarity with the struggle of the Syrian people against an oppressive regime that has lost its legitimacy is an ethical duty as it is a political and strategic necessity.”“We all have to announce our full solidarity with the struggle of those seeking freedom and justice in Syria, and translate this sympathy into a clear political vision that supports a peaceful transition to a democratic system of rule that reflects the demands of the Syrian people for freedom.”“Egypt is ready to work with all to stop the bloodshed,” he said.His description of the uprising differs from Iran, which is one of the few remaining allies of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and has been accused by the US of training militia in Syria to reinforce Mr Assad’s forces.The Syrian government says it is fighting to protect its people against terrorists and its delegation walked out as Mr Mursi began to speak about the conflict, Iran’s state news agency Mena said.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who is at the summit, met Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday and urged them to “really reach out to the Syrian leadership and impress on them the really urgent need to stop the violence”, his spokesman said.