EU foreign policy chief Ashton headed to Cairo: Egypt vice presidency

CAIRO - Agence France-Presse

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has met with Egypt's interim vice president Mohamed ElBaradei in Cairo on July 17, nearly two weeks after the military takeover. REUTERS photo

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will arrive in Egypt for talks on July 28, the country's vice presidency said, amid an ongoing crisis over the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi.

"Ashton will begin a visit to Cairo this evening during which she will meet with President Adly Mansour, Vice President for international affairs Mohamed ElBaradei and Egyptian officials," ElBaradei's office said in a statement.

State news agency MENA, citing a diplomatic source, said Ashton would also meet representatives of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood as well as the Tamarod organisation that organised protests against him.

The visit comes after the deaths of at least 72 people at a pro-Morsi demonstration in Cairo on July 27 morning, with protesters accusing security forces of firing live rounds at unarmed civilians.

Ashton was last in Cairo on July 17, when she called for the release of Morsi, who has been remanded in custody and accused of crimes related to his escape from prison during Egypt's 2011 uprising.

She told reporters that she regretted being unable to meet the Islamist leader, who was ousted on July 3 by the military after massive protests against his rule.