Europe's three most powerful leaders on Saturday jointly urged Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak to end a crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations and fully implement all promised reforms.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote in a joint statement that they are "deeply concerned about the events that we are witnessing in Egypt."

"We call on President Mubarak to avoid at all costs the use of violence against unarmed civilians," and for demonstrators to exercise their rights peacefully, the heads of state said.

The three added that while they recognized the moderating role Mubarak had played over many years in the Middle East, it was now time for him to show the same moderation in addressing the current situation in his own country.

"It is essential that the further political, economic and social reforms President Mubarak has promised are implemented fully and quickly, and meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people," the statement said.

The European leaders described the Egyptian people's grievances and longing for a better future as "legitimate" and urged Mubarak "to embark on a process of transformation which should be reflected in a broad-based government and in free and fair elections."

In an earlier statement Saturday, European Union President Herman Van Rompuy said that the EU was "deeply troubled" by the spiral of violence in Egypt.