Egypt: Unrest could trigger economic collapse says former UN secretary general Boutros Boutros Ghali

(AKI) - The current revolt against president Hosni Mubarak in Egypt - the most populous country in the region - could cause the economy to collapse, former United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali told Adnkronos International (AKI) in an interview.

"A country like Egypt which is facing a population explosion cannot withstand the current situation," said Boutros Ghali.

A member of Egypt's minority Coptic Christian community and an academic, he served as the sixth UN secretary general from 1992-1996 during the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, the Rwandan genocide and other world crises.

"The rift on the streets between those who were happy with the president's last speech (announcing he would not stand for re-election in September) and those who believe he should go now, risk sparking a devastating economic crisis," Boutros Ghali said.

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