Washington: As thousands of people continue to protest in Cairo against its military's intentions to retain power even after the parliamentary polls on Monday, the White House in a strong statement on Friday said the Egyptian government must be immediately empowered with real authority.
"The United States strongly believes that the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately," the White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, said in a statement issued in the early wee hours on Friday.
"We believe that Egypt's transition to democracy must continue, with elections proceeding expeditiously, and all necessary measures taken to ensure security and prevent intimidation," Carney said.
"Most importantly, we believe that the full transfer of power to a civilian government must take place in a just and inclusive manner that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people, as soon as possible," he said.
"In Egypt over the past several days, we have seen protesters demand the realisation of these principles," Carney said adding that the US has condemned the excessive use of force against them and called for restraint on all sides.
The US deeply regrets the loss of life, and urge the Egyptian authorities to implement an independent investigation into the circumstances of those deaths, he said.
"But the situation Egypt faces requires a more fundamental solution, devised by Egyptians, which is consistent with universal principles," Carney said.
Since the start of the Arab Spring, the White House spokesman noted, the US has spoken out for a set of core principles that have guided America's response to events, including opposition to the use of violence and repression.
"Egypt has overcome challenges before and will do so again. The United States will continue to stand with the Egyptian people as they build a democracy worthy of Egypt's great history," Carney said.
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