Washington Remains Silent Over Egypt Coup

Cairo fuel shortages have prompted long lines at petrol stations. Egypt is facing an economic crisis stemming from its continued alliance with the imperialist states and their allies., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Washington remains silent over Egypt coup

Press TV US Desk

The United States remains silent about the ongoing chaos in Egypt, ignoring clashes between opponents and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

The administration of President Barack Obama did not issue any statement on Friday.

Neither the State Department nor the Pentagon held any briefings. Congress was also out of session following the Fourth of July holiday.

The lack of any public statement by Washington has provoked criticism by certain regional leaders.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said “those who rely on the guns in their hands, those who rely on the power of the media cannot build democracy" and blasted the West for "double standards," The Guardian reported.

On Thursday, Washington asked Egyptian officials to stop clamping down on the members of the Muslim Brotherhood one day after the government of Mohammed Morsi was overthrown in a military coup.

Obama did not even criticize the military for taking power, calling on the military to hand it over to a "democratically elected civilian government."

Members of Obama’s national security team pressed the Egyptian officials to avoid “the arbitrary arrests” of Morsi and his supporters and called for a "quick and responsible return" to elected civilian government.

The American officials have cautiously avoided using the word “coup” when referring to the military’s toppling of Morsi, as they know that under the laws, the U.S. government is not allowed to give aid to "the government of any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup d'état or decree or… a coup d'état or decree in which the military plays a decisive role."

Egypt is the second largest recipient of U.S. aid. The United States has lavished more than $70 billion in military and economic aid on Egypt since 1948.

Meanwhile, Muslim Brotherhood supreme leader Mohammed Badie says the military coup against Morsi is illegal and millions will remain in the streets until he is reinstated as president.

At least 30 people were killed and hundreds of others injured on Friday during clashes between tens of thousands of opponents and supporters of the ousted president, Egyptian Health Ministry officials said.