EU foreign policy chief deplores deaths in Egypt, urges halt to violence

BRUSSELS - Reuters

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton traveled to Cairo to hold talks with the interim leaders shortly after the apointment of a new government. AFP photo

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton "deeply deplores" deaths during demonstrations in Egypt and urges all sides to halt violence, the EU said on July 27.

"[Ashton] is following with concern the latest developments in Egypt and deeply deplores the loss of life during yesterday's demonstrations ... She also calls on all actors to refrain from violence and to respect the principles of peaceful protest and non-violence," a spokeswoman for Ashton said.

Ashton had traveled to Cairo to hold talks with the interim leaders shortly after the apointment of a new government.

Egyptian security forces shot dead at least 70 supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi on July 27, his Muslim Brotherhood said. Five people were killed and more than 50 injured during fighting in Egypt's second city of Alexandria on July 26.