Jackson Free Press

Official reaction Thursday to clashes between Egyptian security forces and supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi, in which hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured:

RUSSIA

Russia's foreign ministry has urged citizens to refrain from traveling to Egypt. The Russian Tourism Board had estimated that up to 60,000 Russian travelers are now in Egypt. Russian tourists have been advised to avoid big cities and venues of rallies and demonstrations but diplomats have not urged Russians to stay away from the country altogether.

TURKEY

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the West of ignoring violence in Egypt and called on the United Nations Security Council to meet urgently to discuss the situation. Erdogan also said Egypt's leaders should stand trial "in a fair and transparent way" for what he termed a "massacre."

FRANCE

French President Francois Hollande summoned Egypt's ambassador and said "everything must be done to avoid civil war." In a statement issued after the meeting, Hollande also said he "condemned in the strongest way possible the bloody violence in Egypt and demanded the immediate end to the repression."

"The liberation of prisoners, while respecting the ongoing judicial procedures, could constitute a first step toward renewing negotiations," Hollande added.

GERMANY

Germany's Foreign Office summoned the Egyptian ambassador. Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, speaking from Tunis, said the ambassador was summoned to be told "that the bloodshed must come to an end now." Meanwhile, Germany "strongly discouraged" its citizens from traveling to Egypt, especially Cairo, the Nile Delta and the Nile River tourist areas of Luxor and Aswan. Beach resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheik were not affected.

ITALY

Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino summoned the Egyptian ambassador because of the "very grave" developments and "dramatic" violence. The ministry advised Italians against travel in Egypt except for resorts including Sharm el Sheikh and Marsa Alam as well as holiday areas like El Alamein on the north coast.

TUNISIA

The president of Tunisia's governing moderate Islamist party, Ennahda, said Wednesday's violence was "a disaster resulting from overturning the legal & constitutional order." In an emailed statement, Rachid Ghannouchi added: "Our message to our brothers and sisters in Egypt: you will defeat dictatorship and your peaceful struggle will defeat blood and bullets."

DENMARK

The Danish government announced that it has halted aid to Egypt worth 30 million kroner ($5.3 million), which is channeled through agencies including the World Bank and the International Labor Organization.

ARGENTINA

Argentina, which holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council this month, condemned "the brutal repression against popular protests that won the streets of the main cities of Egypt" and called on authorities to "totally and immediately cease the spiral of violence loosed in recent days against unarmed citizens."

NORWAY

Norway said it had "recently" frozen export licenses for military equipment to Egypt.

BAHRAIN

Bahrain said the crackdown was necessary "restore security, stability and public order." The official Bahrain News Agency also said that Bahraini authorities urged dialogue and reconciliation.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The United Arab reaffirmed its support for the crackdown. "What is regretful is that political extremist groups have insisted on the rhetoric of violence, incitement, disruption of public interests and undermining of the Egyptian economy, which has led to the regretful events today," said the statement, published in English on Thursday. The UAE provided $3 billion of the $12 billion total financial aid promised by wealthy Arab Gulf nations to Egypt following Morsi's overthrow.

PAKISTAN

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged restraint on all sides and called for the Egyptian government to release political prisoners. "The government of Pakistan expresses its dismay and deep concern over the use of force by the Egyptian security forces against unarmed civilians," the statement said.

AFGHANISTAN

The Afghan government condemned the "killing of civilian protesters" and expressed hope that "our brothers and sisters in Egypt to find a peaceful political solution soon."

SWEDEN

Sweden-based Electrolux told its 6,700 employees in Egypt to stay at home for a second day. Electrolux spokesman Daniel Frykholm said the company would reassess the situation on Sunday.

SPAIN

The government said it regrets the violent crackdown and also condemned "attacks on public buildings and churches that have taken place in the wake of these events, perpetrated by violent extremist groups."

VATICAN

Pope Francis urged prayers for "peace, dialogue and reconciliation for that dear land."