US President Barack Obama has said that America is “not aligned” with any political party or group in Egypt and condemned the ongoing violence across the Arab country.
Obama, who is spending this weekend at Camp David, convened a secure conference call with the National Security Council yesterday to review the very fluid situation in Egypt, the White House said.
“The President condemned the ongoing violence across Egypt and expressed concern over the continued political polarisation.
“He reiterated that the United States is not aligned with, and does not support, any particular Egyptian political party or group,” it said.
“In line with that position, the United States categorically rejects the false claims propagated by some in Egypt that we are working with specific political parties or movements to dictate how Egypt’s transition should proceed,” the White House said.
“We remain committed to the Egyptian people and their aspirations for democracy, economy opportunity, and dignity.
But the future path of Egypt can only be determined by the Egyptian people,” it said.
During this transitional period, the White House called on all Egyptians to come together in an inclusive process that allows for the participation of all groups and political parties.
“Throughout that process, the United States will continue to engage the Egyptian people in a spirit of partnership, consistent with our longstanding friendship and shared interests — including our interest in a transition to sustainable democracy,” the White House said.
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called Egyptian Defense Minister Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, at least three times in the past two days to discuss on-going events, his spokesman said as the media reports said that the Obama Administration played a key role in the ouster of Morsi; which was refuted by the White House.
“In their conversations, Hagel emphasised the need for a peaceful civilian transition in Egypt. He also noted the importance of security for the Egyptian people, Egypt’s neighbours, and the region,” the Pentagon Press Secretary, George Little, said.