Clinton urges Egypt to respect human rights

By Sue Pleming

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It is in Egypt's interest to show more respect for human rights, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday, hitting a raw nerve in U.S.-Egypt relations ahead of a visit by President Barack Obama.

Clinton met representatives of Egyptian pro-democracy groups at the State Department one day after she received Egypt's foreign minister.

"It is in Egypt's interest to move more toward democracy and to exhibit more respect for human rights," Clinton told reporters as she was photographed with the activists.

Obama is set to deliver what has been billed as a major speech to the Muslim world from Egypt on June 4, a choice that has revived criticism of the country's human rights record.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave a policy speech in Egypt in 2005 and angered her host when she specifically targeted Egypt's human rights record.

After meeting Clinton on Wednesday, Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the new administration was "very much different" from the previous one, using less rhetoric when it came to discussing issues such as human rights. "They also listen," he said.

Asked specifically whether human rights concerns would be raised when Obama visits next week, Clinton said it was always on the agenda.

THANKS EGYPT