Egypt bloodshed stirs outrage in global community

UNITED NATIONS / BRUSSELS

An Egyptian woman tries to stop a military bulldozer from going forward in Cairo. AFP photo

Egypt’s bloody crackdown on supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi triggered widespread condemnation as the international community reacted with alarm to the deepening crisis.

Europe’s leading powers along with Iran, Qatar strongly denounced the use of force by the military-backed interim government to clear two protest camps in Cairo. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned violence used by Egyptian security forces to clear Cairo of protesters demanding the reinstatement of Morsi.

US condemns violence against protesters in Egypt

The United States "strongly condemns" the violence against protesters in Egypt and opposes the imposition of a state of emergency, the White House said.
 
White House spokesman Josh Earnest urged the Egyptian military to "show restraint" after a crackdown on supporters of Morsi.

While the United Nations was still gathering information, it appeared that hundreds of people were killed or wounded in clashes between security forces and demonstrators, according to a statement by the secretary-general’s spokesperson.

European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton urged “utmost restraint” from Egypt’s security forces. “Confrontation and violence is not the way forward to resolve key political issues,” Ashton said in a statement. “I deplore the loss of lives, injuries and destruction in Cairo and other places in Egypt,” she said. “I call on the security forces to exercise utmost restraint and on all Egyptian citizens to avoid further provocations and escalation.

France, Germany neutral

British Foreign Secretary William said he is deeply concerned at the escalating violence and unrest in Egypt. “I condemn the use of force in clearing protests and call on the security forces to act with restraint.”

Qatar, a main backer of the pro-Morsi Muslim Brotherhood, issued a similar message. “Qatar strongly denounces the means by which peaceful protesters in Rabaa al-Adawiya camp and al-Nahda square have been dealt with and which led to the killing of several unarmed innocent people among them,” a Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement. Iran also termed the crackdown a massacre.

“Iran is following the bitter events in Egypt closely, disapproves of the violent actions, condemns the massacre of the population and warns of the serious consequences,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood has urged its Egyptian peers to continue protests, saying their victory will help the fundamentalist group rise to power elsewhere in the Arab world. France and Germany refrained from apportioning blame for the crisis, calling for calm from both sides. “It is essential that this violence cease and that a sense of calm prevails,” a French Foreign Ministry statement said.

“France calls on all parties to show the greatest restraint and warns against the disproportionate use of force. Emerging from this crisis can only be achieved through a political solution.” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said: “We call on all political forces to return immediately to negotiations and avert an escalation of violence. “All further bloodshed must be prevented.”