Reporter Elizabeth Arrott is covering the presidential election in Egypt, visiting with voters at polling stations around the country. She shares her observations with VOA's Pam Dockins in Washington.

VOA on the scene_Egypt voting Day 2

Correspondent Elizabeth Arrott has been traveling to voting stations in Egypt’s rural areas today.  VOA's Ashenafi Abedje asked her about the mood in the country – on this last day of voting. 

VOA's Elizabeth Arrott wrapping up day 2 of voting

Bassem Youssef, the host of the satirical Egyptian news program Al Bernameg, speaks with VOA’s Mohamed Elshinnawai about his new tour, America in Arabic, and his thoughts on Egypt’s political unrest. Youssef said political humor is the Egyptians' secret weapon against dictatorship. He is convinced all presidential candidates are not fit to lead and Egypt should have had a young revolutionist as the first post-revolutionary president. (The interview is conducted in Arabic)

يرى الدكتور باسم يوسف مقدم برنامج السخرية السياسية المشهور”البرنامج” أن النكتة السياسية سلاح المصريين في مواجهة الدكتاتورية وأن كل مرشحي الرئاسة في مصر قد انتهت صلاحيتهم وكان ينبغي أن يكون رئيس مصر من شباب الثورة. ورغم الاختيار الصعب الذي فرضه الواقع على الناخب المصري بين مرشح للإخوان المسلمين ومرشح محسوب على النظام السابق يشعر الدكتور باسم يوسف بالتفاؤل وأن الثورة ستحقق أهدافها في نهاية المطاف.

VOA's Points of View - Bassem Youseef

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland says the United States stands with the Egyptian people and their aspirations to choose their own leaders. Listen to her full comment on Egypt's election from the June 18, 2012 State Department briefing in Washington here.

U.S. State Department on Egypt Vote

The United States says it is watching Egypt's election and vote counting carefully. Listen to the latest comment from State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

US State Dept on Egypt Vote Count

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland gives the latest update on Washington’s response to the Syrian pilot’s request for political asylum in Jordan.

US State Department on Syrian MiG

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland asserts what Washington would like to see President-elect Mohamed Morsi and the ruling military council do in the days ahead. (Washington, June 25, 2012)

Middle East Voices