Germany calls in Egypt envoy over violence

Egyptian security forces arrest supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi at Nahda Square in Giza on August 14, 2013.

The German Foreign Ministry has summoned Egyptâ„¢s ambassador to Berlin following a fatal crackdown on the supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

“On the orders of Foreign Minister (Guido) Westerwelle, the ambassador was told the position of the German government in no uncertain terms,” a ministry spokeswoman said on Thursday.

“I condemn the use of force in the evacuation of the squares yesterday in Egypt with great emphasis,” said Westerwelle, who is currently on a visit to Tunisia, adding, Å“There must be no spiral in the escalation of violence.”

Other countries like Italy and France have also summoned Egyptâ„¢s envoys.

On Wednesday, Egyptian security forces moved in to clear out thousands of supporters of the ousted president from two camps — one near the Rabaah al-Adawiya Mosque in Cairoâ„¢s Nasr City and a smaller one in Nahda Square in Giza.

Egyptâ„¢s Health Ministry said on Thursday that 638 people were killed and 4,200 others injured in the crackdown, which has sparked international condemnation.

The United Nations Security Council organized an emergency meeting behind closed doors to discuss the situation in Egypt later in the day.

On the same day, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay called for a thorough investigation into the fatal crackdown by the Egyptian security forces on pro-Morsi supporters.

“There must be an independent, impartial, effective and credible investigation of the conduct of the security forces. Anyone found guilty of wrongdoing should be held to account,” Pillay said in a statement.

On Wednesday, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton also Å“strongly” condemned the violence and called on the Egyptian interim government to end the state of emergency as soon as possible Å“to allow the resumption of normal life.”

The interim government imposed a month-long state of emergency on Wednesday in the wake of the sweeping unrest across the country.

Egyptian authorities say interim government forces will stand firm against any more protests.

Tension has intensified in Egypt since July 3, when the Egyptian army removed Morsi from office. The army also suspended the constitution and dissolved the parliament.

IA/MHB

…read more

Republished from: Press TV