US, OIC and NATO condemn use of violence in Egypt

The White House, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and NATO condemned the use of violence against Morsi supporters in Egypt. In a written statement by US Principal Deputy Press Secretary on Egypt Josh Earnest indicated that "the United States strongly condemns the use of violence against protesters in Egypt," and added "we extend our condolences to the families of those who have been killed, and to the injured." "We have repeatedly called on the Egyptian military and security forces to show restraint, and for the government to respect the universal rights of its citizens, just as we have urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully," Earnest highlighted in the statement. Earnest added, "violence will only make it more difficult to move Egypt forward on a path to lasting stability and democracy, and runs directly counter to the pledges by the interim government to pursue reconciliation". -US opposes to state of emergency- "We also strongly oppose a return to a state of emergency law, and call on the government to respect basic human rights such as freedom of peaceful assembly, and due process under the law. The world is watching what is happening in Cairo. We urge the government of Egypt - and all parties in Egypt - to refrain from violence and resolve their differences peacefully," said Earnest. -NATO calls on all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from violence in Egypt- In a written statement by the NATO Secretary General on the events in Egypt, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said "I am deeply concerned by the situation in Egypt, and the continuing reports of bloodshed. I deplore the loss of life". "Egypt is an important partner for NATO through the Mediterranean Dialogue. I call on all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from violence and to work to restore the political process," said Rasmussen. -Organization of Islamic Cooperation call on all sides for dialogue- The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in a written statement, called on all sides in Egypt for dialogue. After Wednesday's police assault on civilians in Egypt in a violent move to disperse the two main pro-Morsi sit-ins in capital Cairo's Rabaa al-Adawiya Square and Giza's Nahda Square, Ihsanoglu warned that the stuation in Egypt may get worse. Egyptian Freedom and Justice Party spokesman Murad Ali announced that the death toll was 1,000, number of injured people were 10,000 in dispersal of pro-Morsi sit-ins across country on Wednesday. On the other side, Egypt's health ministry claimed that death toll nationwide was 149, and 1,403 were injured, in Wednesday's police assault on pro-Morsi supporters. Lastly, Egypt's cabinet declared an eleven-hourcurfew in 14 provinces for a one-month period starting on Wednesday as political violence raged across Egypt. Curfew in Egypt will begin at 21:00 at Egyptian local time, and will be enforced for a month as of Thursday between 19:00 pm and 06:00 am, Egypt state TV said. Supporters of Morsi have been occupying Nahda Square and the Rabaa al-Adawiya Square since Morsi was ousted on July 3, demanding his reinstatement.