Ashton strongly condemns violence in Egypt

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton has "strongly condemned the violence that erupted in Cairo and throughout Egypt and extended her condolences for the many dead and deepest sympathy for the injured. "I also condemn the attacks on churches and offices that have taken place in the course of what has been a violent day, leaving the country in a state of emergency and heading into an uncertain future," she said in her second statement issued Wednesday on events in Egypt. "A future that could be different if all sides embark on a political process that will restore democratic structures through elections and allows for the peaceful participation of all political forces," she said. Ashton warned that "today's violence, the declaration of the state of emergency, and the decision by Vice-President Mohammed El-Baradei to resign will not create the right environment for this to happen. " "Only a concerted effort by all Egyptians and the international community might lead the country back on a path to inclusive democracy, and overcome Egypt's challenges," she added. The EU foreign policy chief called on the security forces to exercise utmost restraint and on the interim government to end the state of emergency as soon as possible, to allow the resumption of normal life.