Kerry rejects claim that US supports Muslim Brotherhood

Secretary of State John Kerry has rejected the claims in certain section of media that the US supports Muslim Brotherhood, saying Washington is deeply troubled by the violence across Egypt and it remains committed to democratic process in the most populous Arab country.
"The United States is deeply troubled by the violence across Egypt. We strongly condemn any and all incitement to violence or attempts to divide and provoke, rather than unite, all Egyptians. The United States strongly condemns the violence by all parties and urges calm," Kerry said.
"At the same time, we firmly reject the unfounded and false claims by some in Egypt that the United States supports the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood or any specific Egyptian political party or movement. The United States has always been and remains committed to the democratic process, not to any party or personality," he said.

"We want Egyptians to make their democracy work for the good of all Egyptians. At this sensitive moment, we call on all Egyptian leaders to condemn the use of force and prevent further violence among their supporters and we urge all those demonstrating to do so peacefully," he said.
Over the days since the unrest in Egypt intensified, Kerry has been in constant contact with the national security team, regional partners, and his counterparts.
Besides being in hourly touch with the US Ambassador to Egypt, Anne Patterson, in the last two days he has also spoken with the new interim prime minister, Mohamed ElBaradei, foreign ministers of Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

During the talks with his counterparts, Kerry reiterated the call for the violence in Egypt to cease and for all parties - the Muslim Brotherhood, opposition, and military - to ensure that those expressing their views do so peacefully.

He also reaffirmed US support for democracy and the protection of universal human rights for all Egyptians, reform that meets the legitimate aspirations of the people, and respect for the rule of law.
Kerry said the US wants to see Egypt's ongoing transition succeed for the benefit of the Egyptian people.
"The Egyptians themselves must come together and make the tough decisions necessary for that to happen," he said, adding the only solution to the current impasse is for all parties to work together peacefully to address the many legitimate concerns and needs of the people.

"Lasting stability in Egypt will only be achieved through a transparent and inclusive democratic process with participation from all sides and all political parties. This process must also 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," he said.
The Egyptian people seek and deserve an honest, capable and representative democratic government, he said.