US slams arrests in Egypt

Cairo: The Bush administration has criticised Egypt's ''campaign of arrests'' targeting political opponents ahead of local elections.

The U.S. comment appeared to be a clear reference to the recent sweep of Muslim Brotherhood political opponents by the Egyptian government.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the White House called ''on the government of Egypt to cease any actions that would compromise the ability of the Egyptian people ... to participate in a free and fair election.''

''The people of Egypt should be permitted to choose freely among competing candidates,'' she said.