WASHINGTON, July 5: US President Barack Obama today held a situation room meeting with his top national security advisors on the developments in Egypt, officials said.
Members of the President’s national security team have been in touch with Egyptian officials and regional partners to convey the importance of a quick and responsible return of full authority to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible.
The Obama Administration officials in their phone calls insisted on a transparent political process that is inclusive of all parties and groups; avoiding any arbitrary arrests of deposed President Mohamed Morsi and his supporters; and the responsibility of all groups and parties to avoid violence.
In last two days, Secretary of State John Kerry had telephonic conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kame Amr; Egyptian Constitution Party President Mohamed ElBaradei; Norwegian Foreign Minister Kai Eade; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Qatari Foreign Minister Mohamed al-Attiyah; Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.
Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke with Egyptian Minister of Defense Abdel Fattah al-Sisi; and the Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon.
National Security Advisor Susan Rice spoke with her Israeli counterpart Ya’akov Amidror.
Carnegie scholar Nathan J Brown yesterday said that the popular coup does not mean that the Muslim Brotherhood is out of the game. “Brotherhood leaders can still have an effect on events by deciding whether and in what ways they will resist the coup,” he said.
“The military is in the driver’s seat. It has produced a road map for the coming transition that appears to be more of a loophole than an actual text. But behind it seems to be a desire among most civilian actors that the military will manage the process in a way that restores civilian rule,” Brown said.
Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said happens next in Egypt is critical to meeting the aspirations of the Egyptian people.
“We call on the military to expeditiously transfer power to a democratically-elected, civilian government. We urge the military and people of all political persuasions to ensure the transition is non-violent and inclusive, that human rights are protected, and that the rule of law is maintained,” she said. (PTI)
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