Egypt Scores Killed in Egypt Clashes: Approximately 120 supporters of Egypt’s ousted president Mohamed Morsi have been killed in clashes with security officials in what is being called the worst state-led massacre since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. The massacre took place at a sit-in in east Cairo at Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque. The events came just one day after the U.S. announced that it would not be cutting foreign assistance to Egypt. Interim Vice President Mohamed el-Baradei condemned the military’s “excessive use of force.” A spokesperson for E.U. High Representative Catherine Ashton has said that she ”deeply deplores the loss of life” and calls on all parties to avoid violence. U.S. to Egypt: “Step Back from the Brink:” Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to interim Vice-President Mohamed el-Baradei, interim Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy, and E.U. High Representative Catherine Ashton to express “deep concern about the bloodshed and violence in Cairo and Alexandria.” Kerry said, “this is a pivotal moment for Egypt… Violence not only further sets back the process of reconciliation and democratization in Egypt, but it will negatively impact regional stability. At this critical juncture, it is essential that the security forces and the interim government respect the right of peaceful protest, including the ongoing sit-in demonstrations.” Kerry also urged an “independent and impartial” investigation into Saturday’s events. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) said the U.S. has to "relook at granting aid," while Sen. Richard Durbin (R-IL) said, "we should make it clear in Egypt, as we made it clear in Libya and in Syria, that firing on your own people is unacceptable by any government” and Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) stated, "we also need to send a very clear and very strong message to the Egyptian military that we’re not going to tolerate [...] the kind of violence that we saw over the weekend." U.S. Delays F-16 Delivery, Will Continue Providing Aid: The Obama administration has concluded that it is not required to determine whether the ouster of Mohamed Morsi constituted a coup. The finding will allow the U.S. government to continue to funnel $1.5 billion in American aid to Egypt each year. A senior White House official has said, “the law does not require us to make a formal determination as to whether a coup took place, and it is not in our national interest to make such a determination. We will not say it was a coup, we will not say it was not a coup, we will just not say.” The United States has delayed a shipment of four F-16s to Egypt, previously due to be delivered last week. According to Pentagon Spokesman George Little, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel called Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to discuss the decision. There is no new timetable for the F-16 delivery however the Pentagon has decided to proceed with a joint military exercise named ‘Bright Star,’ a centerpiece of the two countries’ decades long military relationship. Morsi Charged with Espionage: Former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi has been charged with espionage and colluding with Hamas. He has also been charged with murder in his 2011 escape from jail, which left 14 guards dead. In response to the charges, Brotherhood spokesman Gehad el-Haddad said, “at the end of the day we know all of these charges are nothing more than the fantasy of a few army generals and a military dictatorship. We are continuing our protests on the streets.” Fifteen have been injured in clashing protests in Alexandria where some demonstrators have been throwing stones from rooftops. Egyptian police have announced via Facebook (Arabic) that any non-Egyptian caught participating in protests will be treated as a spy and arrested. While Morsi’s whereabouts remain unknown, state-run newspaper Al Ahram reported that the former president would be charged with espionage in a plot said to involve U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson. Prosecutors denied the report.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 16:19:36 +0000
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