France Describes Egypt's Death Sentences as 'Slaughter'

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius Wednesday criticized Egypt for imposing death sentences on nearly 700 suspected Islamists.

"These sort of slaughter sentences are absolutely unacceptable," Fabius told French lawmakers.

"One does not build peace through mass executions. One builds peace through reconciliation, and that is true for Egypt and for all nations in the world," he said.

An Egyptian court on Monday imposed death sentences on 683 people, including Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie, amid a crackdown on supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi.

Paris had asked Egypt to take steps to ensure that they received a fair trial.

The death sentences have been widely criticized internationally.