U.N. Leader Raises Concerns over Egypt Detentions

U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon on Thursday raised concerns about the detention of ousted Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi and other Muslim Brotherhood leaders with the country's foreign minister, a spokesman said.

Ban reaffirmed that there must be no "retribution" against any party after the military coup against Morsi, U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters after the telephone talks between the U.N. secretary general and Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamal Amr.

Ban "expressed deep concern about continued detentions in Egypt and arrest warrants issued against Muslim Brotherhood leaders and others," said Nesirky.

"He reminded the foreign minister of Egypt's international obligations and the need to fully respect the right to freedom of association, speech and due process.

"He made clear that there is no place for retribution or for the exclusion of any major party or community in Egypt" and that there must be peaceful talks to end the crisis, the spokesman added.

Morsi has been held since he was forced out of office last week amid massive street demonstrations. While the Muslim Brotherhood has staged rallies against the military action, Egypt's Premier Hazem al Beblawi told Agence France Presse on Thursday he does not rule out Muslim Brotherhood members in his cabinet.