Obama cancels US joint military exercises with Egypt

Warning that Egypt had entered a "more dangerous path", President Barack Obama today cancelled US military exercises with the Arab country to protest the killing of hundreds of protesters in the bloodiest crackdown on supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.
Obama, however, did not speak anything on the USD 1.3 billion annual military aid to Egypt.
In his first public statement on the crisis, he said the US will cancel its joint military exercise planned for next month because of the rising violence in Egypt.
The Bright Star military exercise has been a centerpiece of the countries' military relations for decades.

"While we want to sustain our relationship with Egypt, our traditional cooperation cannot continue as usual," he said interrupting his weeklong vacation in Massachusetts resort island of Martha's Vineyard to address the crisis in Egypt.
His remarks came a after over 525 people were killed in the deadliest crackdown by security forces on supporters of 62-year-old Morsi, who was ousted by the Egyptian army on July 3 after a series of countrywide protests against his regime.

"While Mohammed Morsi was elected president in a democratic election, his government was not inclusive and did not respect the views of all Egyptians. We know that many Egyptians, million of Egyptians, perhaps even a majority of Egyptians, were calling for a change in course," he said, adding he understands the "complexity" of Egyptian politics.

He said after the military ousted Morsi, there appeared to be a chance for talks and some sort of reconciliation, but the latest violence moves in the wrong direction.
Meanwhile, a defiant Muslim Brotherhood, which was earlier led by Morsi, has vowed to bring down the military- backed government and called for a massive anti-regime rally.
Secretary of State John Kerry has already condemned the clashes between Egypt's military and supporters of Morsi.