Clinton visits protest site, pledges aid

CAIRO, March 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Wednesday visited Tahrir Square, ground zero for anti-government protests that led to the ouster of Egypt's president.

Addressing U.S. Embassy staff in Cairo after her tour of "Liberation Square," Clinton spoke of her admiration for the Egyptian people and pledged U.S. support for "those civilian and military who are working with the Supreme Council of the armed forces, with the prime minister and the government to translate into reality the dreams and aspirations of the Egyptian people."

"We stand ready to assist in every way possible, because this is Egypt's moment, this is Egypt's story. But the United States has been a partner and will remain a partner and a friend as this great transformation to democracy continues," Clinton said, adding Egypt's future is "even greater than the already extraordinary past."

On Tuesday Clinton praised Egypt's political revolution, saying in a statement she was "deeply inspired" by the change and promised assistance for the longtime U.S. ally in the Middle East, CNN reported.

"To see where this revolution happened and all that it has meant to the world is extraordinary for me," Clinton said during her tour of the square with Prime Minister Essam Sharaf. "It's just a great reminder of the power of the human spirit and universal desire for human rights and democracy. It's just thrilling to see where this happened."

Clinton, the highest ranking U.S. official to visit Egypt since longtime President Hosni Mubarak resigned, pledged $90 million in emergency economic aid during a meeting Tuesday with Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arab, CNN reported.

"The United States will work to ensure that the economic gains Egypt has forged in recent years continue, and that all parts of Egyptian society benefit from these gains," the State Department said in a statement.

Clinton also will visit Tunisia to express support for that country's revolt.