The transition of power in Egypt should begin now, the head of the United Nations said Thursday.
"Many people are now asking the government should take reform. There have been calls for transition, very orderly peaceful transition. If a transition needs to be taken, the sooner the better .. Transition should begin now," UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon told a news conference in London.
"Freedom of speech, whether peaceful demonstrators or journalists, should be fully guaranteed and protected," he said. "The government should listen very attentively to the wishes of the people."
Gunmen fired on anti-government protesters in Cairo, where fighting killed six and wounded over 800 and prompted new calls on Thursday from Western powers for President Hosni Mubarak to start handing over power immediately.
