WASHINGTON, June 1: President George Bush urged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday to show the world his country can set an example for others by holding free and fair presidential elections.

“I urged him once again to have as free and fair elections as possible because it will be a great legacy for his country,” the US president told reporters during a session with visiting South African President Thabo Mbeki. Mr Bush and Mr Mubarak spoke by telephone for about 10 minutes and among the topics they covered was the start of the presidential election campaign in Egypt, and last week’s referendum there and incidents of violence.

Mr Bush said Mr Mubarak assured him that he wants to have free and fair elections. “I will to the best of my ability continue to try to convince him that it’s not only in Egypt’s interest, but the world’s interests, to see Egypt have free and fair elections,” Mr Bush said. Activists urging a boycott of the May 25 referendum on a new presidential election system in Egypt were beaten, kicked and punched by plainclothes supporters of Mr Mubarak, according to witnesses.

Mr Mubarak told Mr Bush his attorney general was investigating the incident. The new system will pave the way for Egypt’s first multi-candidate presidential election. But opponents say it does not allow a genuine contest.

Egypt, which is due to hold elections in September, said the new proposals had won 83 per cent approval in the referendum, with 54 per cent turnout. Opponents disputed the turnout.

“He’s publicly stated he is for free and fair elections, and now is the time for him to show the world that his great country can set an example for others,” Mr Bush said.

He laid out what he called some reasonable standards for free and fair elections.

“People ought to be allowed to vote without being intimidated, people ought to be allowed to be on TV, and if the government owns the TV, they need to allow the opposition on TV, people ought to be allowed to carry signs and express their pleasure or displeasure. People ought to have very vote count,” he said.—Reuters