Kerry, Hagel express deep concern over Egypt violence

The United States released statements from Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in which they expressed "deep concern" about the violence in Cairo and Alexandria "that has claimed the lives of scores of Egyptian demonstrators and injured more than 1,000 people" in the past 24 hours. On a call to Interim Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei and Interim Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy on Saturday, Kerry expressed his "deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives as well as those who were injured." More than two years after the revolution that ousted former president Hosni Mubarak, and three weeks after the Egyptian military overthrew and arrested former president Mohamed Morsi, the violence between pro and anti-Muslim Brotherhood protesters has intensified. Kerry called this a "pivotal moment" for Egypt. "In this extremely volatile environment, Egyptian authorities have a moral and legal obligation to respect the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression," said Kerry. "Both are essential components of the inclusive democratic process they have publicly embraced." "It is essential that the security forces and the interim government respect the right of peaceful protest, including the ongoing sit-in demonstrations," he added. Meanwhile, Hagel called Egyptian Defense Minister Abdel Fatah El-Sisi and encouraged that "restraint be exercised during this difficult period." "The United States believes that the current transition needs to be marked by inclusivity, that Egyptian authorities should avoid politicized arrests and detentions, and take steps to prevent further bloodshed and loss of life," said Hagel. "It is in the short and long term interests of the Egyptian people to renew their path toward democratic transition, and to emphasize tolerance across the political spectrum."