US condemns 'deplorable' violence in Egypt

"We are deeply concerned about the violence, we call on all sides to exercise restraint," White House spokesman says.

The White House 311 (photo credit: Thinkstock/Imagebank)
The White House 311
(photo credit: Thinkstock/Imagebank)
The White House on Tuesday called for an end to the "deplorable" violence in Egypt and said elections there must go forward.
"We are deeply concerned about the violence. The violence is deplorable. We call on all sides to exercise restraint," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.
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The US, which gives Egypt's military $1.3 billion a year in aid, urged Egypt to proceed with elections due to start on Monday despite the violence, a stance broadly echoed by many European leaders.
Egyptians frustrated by army rule battled police in Cairo streets again on Tuesday.
Protesters waving flags and singing songs skirmished with security forces in and around Tahrir Square, where banners read "Save Egypt from thieves and the military" and "Handing power to civilians is the demand of all Egyptians".
Youth groups have called for a mass turnout later in the day to press demands for the military to give way to civilian rule now.