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| International reactions to Morsi's removal |
Shortly after Egypt's army commander announces that Morsi had been removed, world leaders began to weigh in.
The Egyptian army's suspension of the constitution and removal of
President Mohamed Morsi has drawn mixed responses from world leaders:
European Union
The European Union has called for a rapid return to democracy in Egypt.
"I urge all sides to rapidly return to the democratic process,
including the holding of free and fair presidential and parliamentary
elections and the approval of a constitution, to be done in a fully
inclusive manner, so as to permit the country to resume and complete its
democratic transition," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said
in a statement on Thursday.
Ashton said she hoped Egypt's new administration would be fully
inclusive. She stressed the importance of ensuring full respect for
fundamental rights and the rule of law and said she would hold the
authorities to account.
"I strongly condemn all violent acts, offer my condolences to
the families of the victims, and urge the security forces to do
everything in their power to protect the lives and well-being
of Egyptian citizens," she said.
France
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Wednesday that Paris
took note that elections had been announced in Egypt following a
transition period after the army ousted president Mohamed Morsi.
"In a situation that has worsened seriously and with extreme tension
in Egypt, new elections have finally been announced, after a transition
period," Fabius said in a statement.
France hoped a timetable would be drawn up respecting "civil
peace, pluralism, individual liberties and the achievements of the
democratic transition, so that the Egyptian people can freely choose
their leaders and their future", he added.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi King Abdullah sent a message of congratulations to the head of
the Egyptian Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour, on Wednesday for being
appointed interim head of state after the armed forces overthrew Morsi,
the Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
"In the name of the people of Saudi Arabia and on my behalf, we
congratulate your leadership of Egypt in this critical period of its
history. We pray for God to help you bear the responsibility laid upon
you to achieve the ambitions of our brotherly people of Egypt," the
message said.
Syria
Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday praised Egypt's protests against their
leader and said his overthrow by the military means the end of
"political Islam".
Assad, who is seeking to crush a revolt against his own rule, said
Egyptians have discovered the "lies" of the Muslim Brotherhood.
He spoke in an interview with the state-run Al-Thawra newspaper to be printed in full Thursday.
"What is happening in Egypt is the fall of so-called political
Islam," Assad said. "This is the fate of anyone in the world who tries
to use religion for political or factional interests."
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates welcomed the change in Egypt, according to
state news agency WAM, and praised the Egyptian armed forces.
"His Highness Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the foreign minister of
the UAE, expressed his full confidence that the great people of Egypt
are able to cross these difficult moments that Egypt is going through,"
WAM said in a statement.
"Sheikh Abdullah said that the great Egyptian army was able to prove
again that they are the fence of Egypt and that they are the protector
and strong shield that guarantee Egypt will remain a state of
institutions and law," it added.
United Kingdom
Britain urged for calm in Egypt following the army's ouster of Morsi
and spoke out against the use of military intervention in bringing about
regime change, but stopped short of calling it a coup.
"The situation is clearly dangerous and we call on all sides to show
restraint and avoid violence," said Foreign Secretary William Hague.
"The United Kingdom does not support military intervention as a way
to resolve disputes in a democratic system," Hague said in the
statement.
Britain called on all parties to move forward and "show the
leadership and vision needed to restore and renew Egypt's democratic
transition."
"It is vital for them to respond to the strong desire of the
Egyptian people for faster economic and political progress for their
country," stressed Hague.
This must involve early and fair elections and civilian-led government, he said.
"In the long run only democratic processes and government by consent
will bring the stability and prosperity that the people of Egypt seek,"
added the minister.
United States
The United States declined on Wednesday to criticise Egypt's military, even as it was ousting of Morsi from power.
Shortly after Egypt's army commander announced that Morsi, the
country's first democratically elected president, had been deposed and
the constitution suspended the US State Department expressed concern
over the military intervention.
The US ordered the mandatory evacuation of its embassy in Cairo, just
hours after the army deposed Morsi. A later travel advisory confirmed
that "the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency US
government personnel and family members from Egypt due to the ongoing
political and social unrest."
US President Barack Obama released a statement saying he was deeply
concerned by decision by Egyptian military to depose Morsi, and calls
for a swift return to civilian government.
"No transition to democracy comes without difficulty, but in the end
it must stay true to the will of the people. An honest, capable and
representative government is what ordinary Egyptians seek and what they
deserve," Obama said.
"The long-standing partnership between the United States and Egypt is
based on shared interests and values, and we will continue to work with
the Egyptian people to ensure that Egypt’s transition to democracy
succeeds.”
However, the US also stopped short of calling the military intervention a coup.
Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane, reporting from Washington, noted that any
country involved in a coup was not entitled to aid from the US.
