UN leader raises concerns over Egypt detentions: Spokesman

AFP, Thursday 11 Jul 2013

Ban Ki-moon tells Egypt's Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr there should be no 'retribution' against any party following Mohamed Morsi's removal from power

UN leader Ban Ki-moon on Thursday raised concerns about the detention of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi and other Muslim Brotherhood leaders with the country's foreign minister, a spokesman said.

Ban reaffirmed that there must be no "retribution" against any party after the military coup against Morsi, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters after the telephone talks between the UN secretary general and Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamal Amr.

Ban "expressed deep concern about continued detentions in Egypt and arrest warrants issued against Muslim Brotherhood leaders and others," said Nesirky.

"He reminded the foreign minister of Egypt's international obligations and the need to fully respect the right to freedom of association, speech and due process.

"He made clear that there is no place for retribution or for the exclusion of any major party or community in Egypt" and that there must be peaceful talks to end the crisis, the spokesman added.

Morsi has been held since he was forced out of office last week amid massive street demonstrations. While the Muslim Brotherhood has staged rallies against the military action, Egypt's Premier Hazem E- Beblawi told AFP on Thursday he does not rule out Muslim Brotherhood members in his cabinet.

Short link: