US strongly condemns violence and state of emergency

The United States “strongly condemns” overnight violence in Egypt, a White House spokesman said Wednesday in Martha’s Vineyard where President Barack Obama is on holiday, adding that a bloody raid on supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi “runs directly counter” to the new interim government’s promises of a return democratically-elected civilian leadership.

The White House also condemned the “return to a state-of-emergency law.” The world is watching what is happening in Cairo, the statement said, adding that talks are ongoing between Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Secretary of State John Kerry and their Egyptian counterparts.