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Rice visits amid Egypt reform row US concern over Egyptian reforms
(20 minutes later)
Tension over planned constitutional changes in Egypt has cast a shadow as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits as part of a Middle East tour. The US is concerned about the progress of democratic reform in Egypt, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said after talks with Egypt's leaders.
Before arriving, Ms Rice voiced concern at the proposals, which are expected to be passed by a referendum on Monday. Ms Rice said she told President Hosni Mubarak of her concerns about planned constitutional changes, due to be voted on in a referendum on Monday.
Opposition groups say the changes, which include a ban on parties based on religion, will limit freedoms. Opposition groups say the amendments, which include a ban on parties based on religion, will limit freedoms.
But Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak argues the reforms are vital to help tackle sectarian tension and terrorism. Mr Mubarak says reform is vital to tackle terrorism and sectarian tension.
Ms Rice is visiting Egypt as part of her attempts to press moderate Arab states in the region to do more to restart the stalled Middle East peace process. Ms Rice visited Egypt as part of her attempts to press pro-American Arab states to do more to restart the stalled Middle East peace process.
But her talks come amid an internal row over the planned changes to Egypt's constitution as well as anger from the Egyptian authorities at what they see as outside interference in their affairs. Hopes and concerns
I have learnt...the dangers of mixing religion with politics and politics with religion President Mubarak class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6485537.stm">Q&A: Egypt referendum But her talks came amid domestic anger at the planned changes to Egypt's constitution, as well as apparent irritation from the Egyptian authorities at what they see as outside interference in their affairs.
On her way to Egypt, Ms Rice expressed concern at the planned changes, saying "the hope was that this would be a process that gave voice to all Egyptians. I have learnt... the dangers of mixing religion with politics and politics with religion President Mubarak class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6485537.stm">Q&A: Egypt referendum
"I think there's some danger that that hope is not going to be met," she said. On her way to Egypt, Ms Rice expressed concern at the planned changes, saying there was a danger that the process would not give a voice to all Egyptians.
The issue was set to be raised during Ms Rice's talks with President Mubarak. Correspondents say she appeared to tone down her comments on Sunday when she addressed a joint news conference in Aswan with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit.
He robustly defended Egypt's position in a speech on Saturday, saying his government would not bend to outside "pressure, dictation or prerequisites". "I've made my concerns known, as well as my hopes, for continued reform here in Egypt," she said.
"I have learnt...the dangers of mixing religion with politics and politics with religion. The constitutional amendments...should prevent any trading in religion and attempts to strike at the unity of this country," Mr Mubarak said. "The process of reform is difficult - it's going to have its ups and downs," said Ms Rice, adding that the issue was discussed in a "mutually respectful" way.
Mr Abul Gheit said the proposed changes were needed in a country that faced terror threats from "a number of hardliner and extremist types".
Ahead of his talks with Ms Rice, President Mubarak had robustly defended Egypt's position, saying his government would not bend to outside "pressure, dictation or prerequisites".
Difficult positionDifficult position
As well as banning the creation of political parties based on religion, the proposed amendments allow for the adoption of a new election law.As well as banning the creation of political parties based on religion, the proposed amendments allow for the adoption of a new election law.
They would permit the president to dissolve parliament unilaterally and do away with the need for judicial supervision of every ballot box. There have been calls for a boycott of Monday's referendumThey would permit the president to dissolve parliament unilaterally and do away with the need for judicial supervision of every ballot box.
If approved, the changes will also allow a new anti-terrorism law to be drafted to replace the emergency legislation that has been in place since 1981 when Mr Mubarak first became president following the assassination of Anwar Sadat. If approved, the changes will also allow a new anti-terrorism law to be drafted to replace the emergency legislation that has been in place since 1981, when Mr Mubarak first became president following the assassination of Anwar Sadat.
The government says the changes will boost democratic practice in the county.The government says the changes will boost democratic practice in the county.
But the opposition, which includes the illegal but popular Muslim Brotherhood, say the changes will turn Egypt into a police state and are boycotting Monday's referendum. But the opposition, which includes the illegal but popular Muslim Brotherhood, say the changes will turn Egypt into a police state and are boycotting the referendum.
The row puts Ms Rice in a difficult position, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale, who is travelling with the secretary of state.
In the past, she has pressed Mr Mubarak to open up to greater political freedom but more recently those demands have been toned down as Washington looks to its Arab allies to help bring stability to the region.