Ahmet Davutoglu: Arab leaders should embrace change, not smother it

PanARMENIAN.Net - Arab leaders should embrace change, not smother it, says Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

In an interview with Reuters, Davutoglu said the young generation wants more dignity and democracy and that he does not believe there is foreign involvement in Arab uprisings.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on a new era was sweeping the Middle East and it was up to its leaders to embrace change or risk being cast away.

He dismissed allegations by many Arab autocrats that an unprecedented wave of uprisings that toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt and inspired masses across Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Syria was the work of "foreign elements".

Davutoglu said the Middle East was passing through a political and social upheaval like that which gripped Eastern Europe in the 1990s and toppled a series of communist dictators.

"In the region there is an era of change, and mass movements, demands of the people. It is like late 1980's and early 1990's in Eastern Europe. Once there is such popular demand in a region, each country is being affected by these demands," he told Reuters.

The world, he said, was changing and a young generation of Arabs wanted more dignity, economic prosperity and more democracy.

"Wise leaders in the region will lead this process rather than try to prevent this process. Those who are trying to prevent this process will face more difficulties like in Libya or in Yemen. Now it is time for a change in a positive way. Change should not be creating instability or destabilization. The dilemma - the national dilemma between freedom and security - both should be achieved."

"Now it is time for a change in a positive way. Change should not be creating instability or destabilization. The dilemma - the national dilemma between freedom and security - both should be achieved," he added.