US and UK hedge their bets on transition of power in Cairo, but William Hague says only democracy will satisfy Egyptians

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Barack Obama has urged Egypt's military to hand back control to a democratic, civilian government without delay, but stopped short of calling the removal of President Mohamed Morsi a coup.

In a carefully worded statement on Wednesday, Obama said he was "deeply concerned" by the military's move to topple Morsi's government and suspend Egypt's constitution. He said he was ordering the US government to assess what the military's actions meant for US foreign aid to Egypt.

Under US law, the government must suspend foreign aid to any nation whose elected leader is ousted in a coup. The US provides $1.5bn a year to Egypt in military and economic assistance.

"I now call on the Egyptian military to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through an inclusive and transparent process, and to avoid any arbitrary arrests of President Morsi and his supporters," Obama said.

The US was not taking sides in the conflict, committing itself only to democracy and respect for the rule of law, Obama said.

The British foreign secretary, William Hague, said the UK did not support military intervention and called for calm.

"The situation is clearly dangerous and we call on all sides to show restraint and avoid violence," he said.

"The United Kingdom does not support military intervention as a way to resolve disputes in a democratic system."

Hague said: "The chance of a democratic future was hard won for Egypt by the Egyptian people two and a half years ago. But looking forward, we call on all parties to 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.

"In our view this must involve a political process that includes all groups on an equal footing leading to early and fair elections which all parties are able to contest, and civilian-led government... In the long run only democratic processes and government by consent will bring the stability and prosperity that the people of Egypt seek."

Hague warned British citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the country – apart from the Red Sea resorts. The US State Department ordered all non-essential US diplomats and the families of all American embassy personnel to leave the country.

Obama huddled in the White House situation room on Wednesday afternoon with defence secretary Chuck Hagel, attorney-general Eric Holder and his new national security adviser, Susan Rice. In his statement after the meeting, Obama said he expected the military to protect the rights of Egypt's people to due process and peaceful assembly. He reaffirmed his call for a democratic Egypt that involves participation from secular and religious parties alike.

"The voices of all those who have protested peacefully must be heard, including those who welcomed today's developments, and those who have supported President Morsi," Obama said.

Egyptian military leaders have assured the Obama administration they are not interested in long-term rule. The appointment of a government of civilian technocrats to run the country temporarily was an apparent bid to forestall potential US sanctions, American officials said.

But on Capitol Hill, some lawmakers were preparing next steps. The Democratic senator Patrick Leahy, who heads the appropriations panel that oversees foreign aid, said he hoped Egypt's military would make good on its vow to return power to the people, but that in the meantime, US law was clear about what should happen.

"My committee also will review future aid to the Egyptian government as we wait for a clearer picture," Leahy said.

In conversations with Hagel and General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, senior Egyptian army officers pledged to put a civilian government in place quickly if not immediately, the US officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak about the private conversations that occurred over the past week.