Egypt's president says Syrian leader Bashar Assad must learn from "recent history" and step down before it is too late.

Mohammed Morsi's reference to "recent history" appeared to allude to the fate of authoritarian regimes in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen that have been overthrown by Arab Spring uprisings.

Morsi spoke Wednesday at a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo.

PHOTO CAPTION

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi speaks to reporters during a joint news conference with Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, unseen, at the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt.

AP