Head of Council of Europe criticizes Egypt army’s ouster of Morsi

BRUSSELS

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland (L) of Norway speaks next to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu during a press conference in Ankara on June 25, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ADEM ALTAN

Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, has criticized the Egyptian army’s ouster of President Mohamed Morsi.

“The way President Morsi of Egypt came to power was democratic, but the manner in which he left it was not. We must express our concern with regard to the dismissal and arrest of a democratically-elected leader by the military, whatever the reason. This is why the next steps are so important,” Jagland said in a statement.

“Egypt needs a peaceful political process leading to a constitution which will set the foundations for a genuine democracy in that country – one that does not end when the polling stations close, but guarantees a functioning, inclusive democracy at all levels and at all times,” he added.