Hollande,Cameron Call for 'Strong EU Message' on Egypt, U.S. Urges Avoiding 'Lethal Force'

France and Britain called Friday for Europe to send a strong message on the escalating crisis in Egypt, urging the EU to review its relations with Cairo.

The French presidency said in a statement that after talks by telephone, President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister David Cameron agreed "on the seriousness of the violence of recent days and on the need for a strong European message."

"The end of violence and repression, respect for the human rights of all and the resumption of inter-Egyptian dialogue must be the immediate priority," the statement said.

"The European Union must carry forward these requirements and review its relations with Egypt," the statement said, adding that the two leaders wanted EU foreign ministers to meet quickly to discuss the situation in Egypt.

A spokesman for Cameron confirmed the two had discussed "the appalling events in Egypt and tragic loss of life."

"They agreed that the EU should be clear and united in its message: the violence must end immediately and there needs to be a political dialogue, involving all sides, that leads to genuine democracy," the spokesman said.

He also said EU foreign ministers should meet next week to "consider what measures the EU can take to make clear that the violence and repression is unacceptable and to best encourage leaders from all sides to re-engage in dialogue and to chart a peaceful way forward for their country."

Meanwhile, the U.S. urged the African nation to avoid using "lethal force" against demonstrators, as the death toll from a crackdown on supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi continued to mount.

"We again urge all sides to cease violence, and we note that government has a particular responsibility to ensure an atmosphere that allows Egyptians to exercise peacefully their universal rights," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told Agence France Presse in an email.

"Lethal force should not be used against peaceful demonstrators. Demonstrators must also demonstrate peacefully."

Thousands of Islamists protested Friday across Egypt, sparking violence that killed at least 70 people and turned parts of Cairo into battlefields after police authorized the use of live ammunition.

The clashes came two days after 578 people were killed as police cleared two Cairo protest camps set up by Morsi loyalists.

Egypt's cabinet issued a defiant statement, even as clashes continued in the hour before a night-time curfew began, saying it was confronting a "terrorist plot".

Psaki said U.S. officials "have spoken with the Egyptian ambassador numerous times this week to convey our position, especially to urge an immediate end to violence and the start of inclusive dialogue."

The crackdown drew strong condemnation from the international community, and European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton called Friday for the bloc to adopt "appropriate measures" in response.

"We remain actively and closely engaged with our European partners on the situation in Egypt," Psaki said.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday canceled exercises with Egypt's military to protest the killing but stopped short of suspending $1.3 billion in annual aid.