ABC:

Netanyahu fears Islamist takeover in Egypt

By foreign affairs editor Peter Cave

Posted Tue Feb 1, 2011 7:44am AEDT

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of the dangers of an Iranian-style regime led by Islamic extremists taking over in Egypt.

Mr Netanyahu was speaking at a joint news conference in Jerusalem with visiting German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Mr Netanyahu said he was being briefed on developments in Egypt every 30 minutes.

He said in a time of chaos an organised Islamic group could take over as had happened in Iran and other places.

He said it was not extremists who had provoked instability in Tunisia or Egypt, but there was a fear they could exploit the political vacuum left behind.

Mr Netanyahu has ordered his ministers not to make any remarks on what is happening in Egypt, which is Israel's closest regional ally, saying that Israel's aim was focused on maintaining stability and security in the region.