Clinton urges Cairo to restrain security forces

Washington: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday urged the Egyptian government to "do everything in its power" to hold back security forces battling protesters.

"We are deeply concerned about the use of violence by Egyptian police and security forces against protesters. And we call on the Egyptian government to do everything in its power to restrain" its security forces, she said.

Clinton urged calm on both sides and said the government must investigate and prosecute any allegations of brutality by security forces. She also called on Egypt to restore access to the internet and blocked social media sites.

Deep grievances

"We urge the Egyptian authorities to allow peaceful protests and to reverse the unprecedented steps it has taken to cut off communication," she said.

"These protests underscore that there are deep grievances within Egyptian society and the Egyptian government needs to understand that violence will not make these grievances go away."

Clinton said that reform "is absolutely critical to the well-being of Egypt" and urged the US ally to "engage immediately" with opposition groups and others to enact economic, political and social reforms.

She said the Obama administration had raised repeatedly with Egypt the "imperative for reform and greater openness."