Obama cancels military drill

China Daily | Updated: 2013-08-16 08:53

US President Barack Obama spoke out on Thursday against the violence in Egypt, condemning a military crackdown there and saying the United States had canceled joint military exercises scheduled for next month.

"The United States strongly condemns the steps that have been taken by Egypt's interim government and security forces," Obama said from his vacation home on the Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard.

"We deplore violence against civilians. We support universal rights essential to human dignity, including the right to peaceful protest."

Obama urged Egypt's army-installed authorities to lift a state of emergency and allow peaceful protests but stopped short of suspending $1.3 billion in annual military aid.

Reuters

(China Daily 08/16/2013 page10)