France praises second phase of Egyptian elections

France on Thursday praised the second stage of the egyptian parliamentary elections which were holding in a calm environment , calling this process, which started November 28, "a decisive stage" in democratic transition in Egypt. "We praise the good functioning of the second phase of parliamentary elections in Egypt, which are taking place in calm and in a globally free and transparent manner, according to NGOs able to observe the ballot," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said. The process must "end in a complete transfer of power to the elected, civil authorities," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued here Thursdy. Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero indicated that France was working in "close cooperation" with Egypt in tracking down the assets of ousted President Hosni Mubarak and his family. The former president, who is in detention in Egypt, is believed to have amassed and placed hundreds of millions of dollars, if not more, in France and billions around the world. "France has been called upon by the Egyptian authorities via an official request to freeze the assets, accounts and goods belonging to Hosni Mubarak and his wife, as well as his two sons and their wives," Valero affirmed.