Kerry says huge Egypt vote turnout 'very exciting'

[ProSense]

Kerry says huge Egypt vote turnout 'very exciting'

CAIRO (AFP) – Senior US Senator John Kerry described as "very exciting" Sunday the huge turnout for Egypt's first taste of democracy after the ouster of veteran president Hosni Mubarak.

"I thought the referendum was very exciting. The numbers of people who voted, the excitement, the way they conducted themselves, there was alot of energy," Kerry said on a visit to Cairo the day after the landmark vote.

"People voted for the first time in 30 years, not knowing what the outcome would be and I think it's a very good sign for the steps ahead, a very good sign," he added.

Kerry, who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was speaking to reporters as he toured Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square, epicentre of the 18 straight days of mass protests that ended Mubarak's authoritarian rule.

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[vaberella]

1. "30 years"? Wow, this is a tremendous event. Thanks Prosense. n/t

[Igel]

3. Well, it's tremendous, but you have to include the second part of the sentence.

They voted for the first time in 30 years, not knowing what the result would be.

They've voted a bunch of times in the last 30 years, but knew what the result would be before they even voted.

[FrenchieCat]

2. Wow!

[YvonneCa]

4. Saw this, with the picture, in the middle...

...of the local newspaper this morning. What a PLEASANT surprise! Kerry actually getting media coverage...and POSITIVE coverage, at that. :)