UK concerned at killing of 25 police officers in Sinai

The British Foreign Office said Wednesday the UK is very concerned at the further increase in violence in the North Sinai region, following reports of the killing of 25 police officers by suspected militants. The reaction came in reply by a Foreign Office spokesman to a query by KUNA. The attack last Monday on the police convoy, close to the town of Rafah on the Gaza border, was one of the deadliest on security forces in several years. Interim President Adly Mansour declared three days of national mourning after the attacks. Meanwhile, the spokesman noted that UK Foreign Secretary William Hague spoke recently to his Egyptian counterpart Nabil Fahmy to discuss the current crisis in Egypt. The spokesman said both ministers spoke about the tragic violence and loss of life over recent days. For his part, the UK Foreign Secretary "emphasised UK's condemnation of all acts of violence, whether disproportionate use of force by the security forces or violent actions by some demonstrators". They also discussed the recent attacks on places of worship and Hague stressed that attacks on mosques and churches were unacceptable and that places of worship must be protected. In addition, Hague noted the Egyptian government's stated commitment to the political roadmap published on 4 July, based on dialogue between all parties who accepted peaceful political processes. He underlined "the need for urgent steps by all sides to end the violence and enable a return to dialogue". The British Foreign Secretary also emphasised the EU's collective determination to support a peaceful resolution of the situation.