TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has advised Egyptian officials to avoid resorting to violence in dealing with the popular demonstrations in the country.

“The demonstrations of the Muslim Egyptian nation are a movement seeking the realization of justice and Egyptians’ national and ideological demands. Egyptian officials are expected to avoid the use of violence in dealing with the people,” Mehmanparast said in a statement.
He also advised the Egyptian government to listen to “this Muslim nation’s voice,” to accept the “Islamic awakening” and to submit to the people’s demands.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman added that Iran is closely monitoring developments in Egypt.
Egypt was plunged into unprecedented political turmoil when the opposition staged a popular uprising on Tuesday.
The protests continued on Wednesday and Thursday, and reached a new peak on Friday as tens of thousands of protesters defied a curfew and poured into the streets of Cairo and other major cities.
Over the past few days, violent clashes have broken out between police and demonstrators in which a number of protesters have been killed and injured.
The opposition is calling for President Mubarak to step down, the formation of a new parliament, and constitutional amendments to limit the president’s authority.
However, President Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for 30 years, has not given in to the protesters’ demands.
In a televised address delivered around midnight on Friday night, Mubarak defended the actions of the security forces and asked the protesters to be “vigilant in the face of a plot aimed at destabilizing” the country.
He also dissolved the cabinet and promised social and economic reforms