Cameron urges faster reforms as protests erupt into violence

Prime Minister David Cameron pressed the Egyptian government to accelerate the process of political change and also condemned the violence, warning it would be "utterly unacceptable" if it was state-sponsored.

Speaking alongside United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon after talks in Number 10, the Prime Minister said the clashes underlined the need for speedy political reforms.

He said: "These are despicable scenes we are seeing and they should not be repeated. They underline the need for political reform and frankly for that political reform to be accelerated and to happen quickly. We need to see a clear road-map for that political reform, so people in Egypt can have confidence that their aspirations for a more democratic future with greater rights are met.

"That change needs to start happening now and the violence needs to stop.

"If it turns out that the regime in any way has been sponsoring or tolerating this violence, that would be completely and utterly unacceptable."

Mr Ban added: "I once again urge restraint to all sides. Any attack against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable and I very strongly condemn it."

A military spokesman appeared on Egyptian state TV yesterday asking protesters to disperse, suggesting that the Army's tolerance for the demonstrations – which on Tuesday saw an estimated 250,000 people cram into Tahrir Square – may be coming to an end.

Mr Mubarak said he would step down at national elections in September, but rejected opposition calls for him to go now.

About 10,000 opponents of the regime returned to protest yesterday, renewing demands for Mr Mubarak's immediate removal, but chaotic scenes developed as they clashed with pro-Mubarak protesters.

Mr Ban said the UN had been warning for a decade of the need for change in the Arab world and he offered assistance in smoothing the way for peaceful reform.

"It is important at this juncture that it is ensured that an orderly and peaceful transition should take place.

"I urge all parties to engage in such a dialogue and such process without any further delay.

"We should not under-estimate the danger of instability across the Middle East.

"The United Nations stands ready to provide any assistance to such reform efforts by Egypt and any countries in the Arab (world)."

He urged Egypt's leaders to "accept the will of their people that they should listen more attentively to the genuine and sincere wish of the people".

And he said: "It is important that there needs to be a peaceful and orderly transition. If a transition is to be taken, this should be done now."

Mr Mubarak came under further pressure from capitals around the world to loosen his grip on power.

German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle said the outbreak of violence raised "the pressing question as to whether the political leadership in Egypt has understood the necessity of fast democratic rebuilding".

European Union foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton said: "We've been very clear that Mr Mubarak has to respond to the will of the people and that the demonstrations are a manifestation of that will." In the United States, Washington criticised the Egyptian government and condemned the violence. US President Barack Obama has urged Mr Mubarak to embark on the transition of power immediately.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs added that Washington "deplores and condemns the violence that is taking place in Egypt.We are deeply concerned about attacks on the media and peaceful demonstrators, We repeat our strong call for restraint."