Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday called for swift democratic change in Egypt following mass protest that forced President Hosni Mubarak from power.
Mubarak stood down and handed power to the military on Friday, after 18 days of widespread anti-government demonstrations.
"Russia hopes that democratic procedures in Egypt will be restored in full and that all legitimate electoral procedures will be used to that end," Medvedev said in statement.
Moscow hopes the changes will be nonviolent, Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier on Saturday.
"We hope that the process of Egypt's recovery from the crisis will be nonviolent and aimed at the strengthening of the democratic rule in this key Arabian country," foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said.
Medvedev said Russia and Egypt will continue to play an active role in the Middle East peace efforts.
"A strong and democratic Egypt is an important factor in continuation of the peace process," he said.
Direct talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, which resumed last September after a 20-month standoff, broke down in December after Israel refused to stop construction in the occupied West Bank.
China and Japan called on Egypt's new military leaders to accelerate the process of political change.
"China hopes that the latest development of the situation helps Egypt with the restoration of national stability and public order as soon as possible," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said he hoped that "a new government will be born democratically."
"We would like to maintain long-time friendly relations between Japan and Egypt. I want Egypt to continue playing a constructive role in the Middle East," he added.
The end of Mubarak's 30-year rule came shortly after a televised address to the nation that was meant to ease public anger only further infuriated the protesters.
MOSCOW, February 12 (RIA Novosti)
