Obama 'deeply concerned' about Egypt military

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption U.S.: Egyptian people deserve peaceful solution The U.S. State Department voiced concern over tensions in Egypt on Wednesday. Prior to President Mohammed Morsi's ouster, the U.S. State Department said the Egyptian people deserve a peaceful political solution to the current crisis. (July 3)

President Obama and aides monitor unrest in Egypt

State Department urges all sides in Egypt to work together

Obama spoke with Egyptian counterpart on Monday

President Obama called Wednesday for a quick restoration of democracy in Egypt, saying he is "deeply concerned" about the Egyptian military's decision to oust President Mohammed Morsi and suspend the nation's constitution.

"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," Obama said in a written statement.

Urging all parties to work together, Obama also called on the military "to avoid any arbitrary arrests of President Morsi and his supporters."

Obama said he has directed his staff to review U.S. assistance to Egypt. American law forbids aid to countries that remove democratic leaders via a military coup, though Obama did not use that term in his carefully worded statement.

"The United States continues to believe firmly that the best foundation for lasting stability in Egypt is a democratic political order with participation from all sides and all political parties -- secular and religious, civilian and military," Obama said.

While Obama and aides had urged Morsi to work with protesters in recent days, the Egyptian military announced Wednesday it has suspended the nation's recent Islamic-backed constitution, called for early elections and appointed the head of a constitutional court as Egypt's interim head of state.

In its statement on the change in government, the Egyptian Armed Forces said it "stands distant from political forces," and is providing a "road map" to future elections.

Morsi's Twitter feed described the military's action as a "full coup," and urged citizens "not to accept" it. In a taped statement broadcast on Al Jazeera, Morsi said he is still Egypt's legitimate president and remains open to negotiations.

In his statement, Obama -- who met with national security aides Wednesday -- said that "during this uncertain period, we expect the military to ensure that the rights of all Egyptian men and women are protected."

Earlier, the administration had called for a calm resolution of the crisis in Cairo.

"We think that all sides need to engage with each other and need to listen to the voices of the Egyptian people and what they are calling for and peacefully protesting about," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said before the ouster. The administration is monitoring "an extremely tense and fast-moving situation," she said, and will not "take sides" in the dispute.

The United States has closed its embassy in Cairo "for the coming days," Psaki said, though it was scheduled to be shuttered for the July 4 holiday in any event. The State Department also urged all Americans, including non-essential embassy personnel, to leave the country or defer travel there.

Psaki did note that in Morsi's speech to his nation on Tuesday, there was "an absence of significant steps" to resolve the crisis.

"We have said that he must do more to be truly responsive and representative to the justified concerns expressed by the Egyptian people," Psaki said.

Obama spoke with Morsi by phone on Monday night, urging him to work with those who are protesting his government.

The U.S. president told his Egyptian counterpart that Americans support "the democratic process" in Egypt, and not any one group or party, according to a White House statement about the phone call.

Obama "stressed that democracy is about more than elections," the statement said.. "It is also about ensuring that the voices of all Egyptians are heard and represented by their government, including the many Egyptians demonstrating throughout the country."

Obama's full statement on Wednesday:

"As I have said since the Egyptian Revolution, the United States supports a set of core principles, including opposition to violence, protection of universal human rights, and reform that meets the legitimate aspirations of the people.

"The United States does not support particular individuals or political parties, but we are committed to the democratic process and respect for the rule of law. Since the current unrest in Egypt began, we have called on all parties to work together to address the legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people, in accordance with the democratic process, and without recourse to violence or the use of force.

"The United States is monitoring the very fluid situation in Egypt, and we believe that ultimately the future of Egypt can only be determined by the Egyptian people. Nevertheless, we are deeply concerned by the decision of the Egyptian Armed Forces to remove President Morsi and suspend the Egyptian constitution.

"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. Given today's developments, I have also directed the relevant departments and agencies to review the implications under U.S. law for our assistance to the Government of Egypt.

"The United States continues to believe firmly that the best foundation for lasting stability in Egypt is a democratic political order with participation from all sides and all political parties -- secular and religious, civilian and military.During this uncertain period, we expect the military to ensure that the rights of all Egyptian men and women are protected, including the right to peaceful assembly, due process, and free and fair trials in civilian courts.

"Moreover, the goal of any political process should be a government that respects the rights of all people, majority and minority; that institutionalizes the checks and balances upon which democracy depends; and that places the interests of the people above party or faction. 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. In the interim, I urge all sides to avoid violence and come together to ensure the lasting restoration of Egypt's democracy.

"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. The longstanding 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."