Clinton: Arab Uprisings Opportunity For Democracy

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the Arab Spring Uprisings represent a true opportunity for democracy in the Arab region, noting the need for international support of these changes.

The remark was made during a meeting on Saturday between Clinton and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who both, discussing the latest events in the Arab region, expressed their continued commitment to practice pressure on the Libyan regime, for its required implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, said a US official statement.

The two officials expressed anxiety over the unfolding events in Syria, calling for the start of a comprehensive national dialogue.

They also urged the need for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, noting the urgency to return to the negotiating table as fundamental to any such efforts.

Separately, Clinton applauded the level of economic reforms taken by the Spanish government, calling to enhance them and pledging US commitment to these efforts.

Spain still faces huge economic challenges, mainly limiting unemployment and restructuring its financial sector, she said, expressing confidence Zapatero’s government would be able to overcome these obstacles.

In another meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister, Trinidad Jimenez, the US official had said that NATO was involved in the major task of limiting the attacks of Libyan forces on its people, and in the jumpstarting of a democratic transition process that would achieve the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people, granting them their right to live in peace.

The US and Spain both agree that the sole solution to the Libyan crisis, is for Ghaddafi to abandon his post and stop his attacks on civilians, she added.

Clinton, who arrived in Madrid on Friday, had earlier met King Juan Carlos. Her visit to Spain is the first since assuming office back in 2009.