MUNICH — The U.S. threw its weight behind nascent reforms led by Egypt’s new vice president as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Saturday that international support was crucial to prevent extremists from hijacking the political transition.
A “perfect storm” of economic woes, repression and popular discontent could destabilize the Middle East beginning in Egypt, said Clinton, lending strong backing for Vice President Omar Suleiman’s efforts.
Clinton’s comments at an international security conference suggested that although the administration still wants to see quick and concrete steps to change, it believes Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has set in motion the “orderly transition” it had demanded by appointing Suleiman.
“We have to send a consistent message supporting the orderly transition that has begun,” Clinton told government officials, politicians, security experts and policy analysts.
