Estonian formin denounces violence in Egypt

Photo: SCANPIX

Estonia condemns violence against protesters in Egypt in the course of clearing two antigovernment sit-ins in Cairo, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said and added that further expansion of violence might bring along danger of a civil war breaking out.

Paet denounced the violence against protesters in Egypt and called for avoiding further violence. «It is important to avoid further violence which might bring along the danger of a civil war breaking out,» Paet told BNS. «Egypt's conflict sides have to make efforts to solve political dissonants peacefully. For that to happen it is important to start talks between political powers as soon as possible,» he added.

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advising Estonian citizens to not travel to Egypt, especially to some regions.

At least 343 people died in the clashes between the supporters of the overthrown president Mohamed Morsi and Egyptian security forces on Wednesday, Egypt's Ministry of Healthcare announced on Thursday.

Violence claimed the lives of at least 300 civilians. The Egyptian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the death of 43 law enforcement personnel. Among the dead were also several journalists.

On Wednesday the authorities declared a month-long state of emergency and put into effect a nighttime curfew for Cairo and ten provinces.

Egyptian Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei resigned in protest to the attacks.