PM Sees 'Great Opportunity' In Egypt Visit

David Cameron has become the first world leader to touch down in Egypt since President Hosni Mubarak was forced to stand down.

The Prime Minister has arrived in the country, which is currently under military rule, to hold talks with officials.

President Mubarak stood down ten days ago amid protests against his regime.

Mr Cameron will meet with the head of the armed forces supreme council, Defence Minister Mohamed Tantawi, and Ahmed Shafiq, Egypt's Prime Minister.

The UK Prime Minister has also arranged to meet with representatives from the anti-Mubarak opposition movement, however they will not include figures of the Muslim Brotherhood - a banned Islamic group.

Speaking en-route to Cairo, Mr Cameron said: "This is a great opportunity for us to go and talk to those currently running Egypt to make sure this really is a genuine transition from military rule to civilian rule and see what friendly countries like Britain and others in Europe can do to help.

"I am particularly keen... to get to Egypt and to be one of the first people there."

Part of his agenda will be to call for the lifting of emergency laws, which have been in place for over than 30 years.

Mr Cameron added: "What is so refreshing about what's been happening is that this is not an Islamist revolt. This is not extremists on the streets. This is people who want to have the sort of basic freedoms that we take for granted in the UK."

(BMcN/GK)