Countries and international bodies express concern, calling for end to violence and restraint from both sides. | ||
Security forces stormed two pro-Morsi sit-ins on Wednesday morning, leaving scores dead [AFP]
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| As the world watches events in Egypt unfold, there has been swift reaction, with many countries expressing their grave concern and calling for an end the violence. There has also been condemnation of what many governments see as the "disproportionate use of force " by the security services. Most countries have called for restraint from both sides. The European Union has said that reports that protesters have been killed in a security crackdown in Cairo were "extremely worrying" and called for restraint from Egyptian authorities. At least 94 people were killed on Wednesday when security forces cleared a camp of protesters who were demanding the reinstatement of deposed President Mohamed Morsi, Al Jazeera's correspondent said.  "The reports of deaths and injuries are extremely worrying," Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, said. "We reiterate that violence won't lead to any solution and we urge the Egyptian authorities to proceed with utmost restraint." Turkey's President Abdullah Gul branded the crackdown as "unacceptable". "An armed intervention against civilian people who stage protests is unacceptable, regardless of its justification," he said in televised remarks, voicing fears Egypt's crisis could deteriorate into a situation similar to the conflict in neighbouring Syria. He called on the UN Security Council and the Arab League to take immediate steps to stop a "massacre" in Egypt, saying international silence had paved the way for the Egyptian authorities deadly crackdown. "The international community, especially the UN Security Council and Arab League, must act immediately to stop this massacre," Erdogan's office said. Qatar also condemned the attack by security forces, with QNA, the state news agency, quoting a foreign ministry official as urging Egyptian authorities to "refrain from the security option in dealing with peaceful protests, and to preserve the lives of Egyptians at protest sites". Qatar had strongly backed Morsi, who belonged to the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood. Iran, also calling the security operation a "massacre", condemned the actions of Egypt's security forces, saying the violence increased the likelihood of a civil war there. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Iran, "while denouncing the violent clashes and condemning the killing of people, expresses its deep concern regarding the horrible consequences". "Undoubtedly the current approach to developments in Egypt strengthens the likelihood of civil war in this great Islamic country," it said. Restraint urged France's Foreign Ministry issued a statement "strongly deploring the violence which took place in Cairo during the evacuation operations". It offered its condolences to the families of the victims, and said it is "essential this violence ceases, and that a logic of appeasement prevails".
"France calls on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and warns against disproportionate use of force." Britain issued remarks condemning the use of force and calling for restraint from security forces. "I am deeply concerned at the escalating violence and unrest in Egypt," William Hague, UK foreign secretary, said in a statement. "I condemn the use of force in clearing protests and call on the security forces to act with restraint." Guido Westerwelle, Germany's foreign minister, urged supporters of Egypt's interim government as well as supporters of Morsi to renounce violence. "We call on all political forces to return immediately to negotiations and avert an escalation of violence," he said. "All further bloodshed must be prevented." | ||
Source:
Agencies
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