Washington: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Egypt and Tunisia next week, becoming the most senior US official to visit the region after popular revolts toppled US-allied governments in both countries.
"I intend to convey strong support of the Obama administration and the American people, that we wish to be a partner in the important work that lies ahead as they embark on a transition to a genuine democracy," Clinton told a congressional panel yesterday.
"We have an enormous stake in ensuring that Egypt and Tunisia provide models for the kind of democracy that we want to see."
Clinton's visit will allow her to personally assess the situation in Egypt, where the Obama administration gave strong support to protesters who ultimately forced the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, long a staunch US ally, in February. She will also talk to transitional government officials in Tunisia, which launched the wave of political turmoil sweeping the Arab world with mass protests that toppled president Zine Al Abidine Bin Ali in January.
Egypt and Tunisia border Libya, where leader Muammar Gaddafi's increasingly bloody battle against rebels has spurred rising calls for international action.
