Clinton urges reform in post-revolt Egypt, Tunisia

By Matthew Lee

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, March 13 2011 8:11 a.m. MDT

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A man who said he was the house owner carries the remains of an exploded Katyusha rocket inside the house as he is pictured during a government-organized visit for foreign media in Bin Jawwad, 350 miles (560 kilometers) southeast of the capital Tripoli, in Libya Saturday, March 12, 2011. The world moved a step closer to a decision on imposing a no-fly zone over Libya but Moammar Gadhafi was swiftly advancing Saturday on the poorly equipped and loosely organized rebels who have seized much of the country.

Ben Curtis, Associated Press

Summary

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is heading to Europe and the turbulent Middle East for the Obama administration's highest-level contacts with the Libyan opposition.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is heading to Europe and the turbulent Middle East for the Obama administration's highest-level contacts with the Libyan opposition.

Set to depart Washington on Sunday, Clinton also will be meeting with officials in post-revolt Egypt and Tunisia to promote democratic reform.

With Libya embroiled in near civil war and the Obama administration still undecided on possible military intervention, Clinton plans to see foes of Moammar Gadhafi in Paris on Monday to assess their capabilities and intentions.

She then travels to Cairo and Tunis where she'll urge transitional Egyptian and Tunisian leaders to heed demands for change that fueled the popular uprisings that ousted longtime autocratic rulers.

Clinton will be the first Cabinet-level official to visit Egypt and Tunisia since protests exploded across the region.

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