EU's Ashton Urges All Sides in Egypt to Avoid 'Provocation'
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Monday warned all sides in Egypt against "provocation or escalation" as Islamists called for an uprising after the deaths of dozens of loyalists of the country's ousted president.
A spokesperson for Ashton said in a statement that she urged all sides "to move rapidly toward reconciliation" and that "all those who claim legitimacy must ... avoid any provocation or escalation of violence".
She also deplored the deaths of 51 loyalists of ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi while pressing the interim authorities to carry out a "thorough" and "impartial" judicial investigation, announced earlier by the army-appointed interim president, Adly Mansour.
"She notes that an inquiry has been set up into the tragic events and trusts that this will be conducted quickly, in a thorough and impartial manner," the statement said.
"She reiterates in the strongest possible terms her call for utmost restraint and an immediate end to the violence. Dialogue and inclusiveness are the only way forward in speedily restoring a civilian and democratic framework.
"She calls on all sides, but particularly on the Interim Presidency and those in a position of authority and influence, to reach out to all political forces, and to move rapidly toward reconciliation.
"All those who claim legitimacy must act in a responsible way for the good of the country and avoid any provocation or escalation of violence."
The Muslim Brotherhood, which has led demonstrations against Wednesday's overthrow of Morsi, said its supporters were "massacred" by troops and police during dawn prayers in Cairo.
Source: Agence France Presse
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/89834 |