Hundreds of Canadians leave Egypt

(Ottawa) A few hundred Canadian nationals have left Egypt on Monday aboard two aircraft chartered by the Canadian government. Meanwhile, the entire political class in Ottawa, called for a peaceful transition to democracy in the country facing a seventh day of violence.
A first Air Canada aircraft landed in Frankfurt, Germany, early evening (Montreal time), after several delays at Cairo airport, stormed by thousands of foreign nationals awaiting evacuated.
CBC reported in the afternoon that some passengers had seen Canadian claim 2000? $ Egyptian authorities airport before boarding the plane. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada initially denied the information before indicating it was probably an additional charge for excess baggage.
Canadians wishing to return to board a flight chartered by the federal government should, however, pay $ 400 and can not choose their destination nor carry more luggage, said the department was not able to say precisely How many Canadian citizens were out of Egypt so far, since a second flight left Cairo for the night. Outraged, NDP Leader Jack Layton called these charges "tax in the evacuation."
Over 6000 Canadian nationals are currently in Egypt, but hundreds have already said they did not want to leave the country.
The Canadian government has concluded agreements on Monday with several countries, including Australia, the United States and Great Britain for assistance in the evacuation of nationals, especially from other cities, including Alexandria, tourist destination known.
In the House, Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged that the government and the Canadian Embassy in Egypt "meet the needs" of citizens in selected countries in crisis.
In the morning, the Foreign Minister, Lawrence Cannon, had conceded that the logistics field was problematic in several respects and called on citizens and their families to be patient.
Transition
Refusing to seek a clear departure from the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, the Canadian government wanted a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
"We want to see a transition to the basic values of freedom, democracy, human rights and justice, said Prime Minister Harper. We want to ensure that the transition does not fall into violence, instability and extremism. "
"That the Egyptians to decide," added Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, saying that the elections scheduled for September will be crucial. "The international community must do everything in its power to take this country then the path of democracy," said Mr. Ignatieff.
NDP Leader Jack Layton, has meanwhile estimated that the Canadian government would "engage more" to ensure that elections are "fair and transparent".