France 'deplores' deadly violence in Egypt

The French government on Wednesday said that it "very deeply deplores" the violence that took place in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, where security forces evacuated demonstrators from several points in the city. An unknown number of people were reported to have been killed in clashes between supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi and security forces at two major gathering points for the pro-Morsi protesters in Cairo. Police had warned the protesters that they must evacuate the areas and clear the streets but they refused to comply, prompting action by the security forces. "France very deeply deplores the violence that took place in Cairo during these evacuation operations," a statement from the Foreign Ministry said. "It is essential that this violence stops and that a logic of easing of tensions prevails. France calls on the parties to show proof of the greatest restraint and warns against the disproporionate use of force," the statement added. The Foreign Ministry statement reiterated views expressed by Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who remarked last week that "the way out of the crisis can only be a political solution...dialogue and the search for compromise.