| Al Jazeera / Agencies, |
DOHA, Aug 14: Qatar has joined regional giants Turkey and Iran in condemning the Egyptian junta's massacre today against protesters in Cairo, while the European Union said the development was "extremely worrying".
EU said reports that protesters had been killed in a security crackdown were "extremely worrying" and called for restraint from Egyptian authorities.
At least 94 people have been killed on Wednesday when they cleared a camp of Cairo protesters who were demanding the reinstatement of deposed President Mohamed Morsi, according to Al Jazeera's correspondent on the ground.
At least six members of the Egyptian security forces were shot dead, the state news agency reported.
"The reports of deaths and injuries are extremely worrying," Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.
"We reiterate that violence won't lead to any solution and we urge the Egyptian authorities to proceed with utmost restraint."
Turkey's president Abdullah Gul branded the crackdown as "unacceptable".
"An armed intervention against civilian people who stage protests is unacceptable, regardless of its justification," Gul said in televised remarks, voicing fears Egypt's crisis could deteriorate into a situation similar to the conflict in neighbouring Syria.
He called on the United Nations Security Council and the Arab League to take immediate steps to stop a "massacre" in Egypt, saying international silence had paved the way for the Egyptian authorities deadly crackdown.
"The international community, especially the UN Security Council and Arab League, must act immediately to stop this massacre," Erdogan's office said.
'Likelihood of civil war'
Qatar also condemned the attack by security forces, with QNA, the state news agency, quoting a foreign ministry official as urging Egyptian authorities to "refrain from the security option in dealing with peaceful protests, and to preserve the lives of Egyptians at protest sites".
Qatar had strongly backed the ousted President, who belonged to the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Iran, also calling it a "massacre", condemned the actions of Egypt's security forces, saying the violence increased the likelihood of a civil war there, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said that Iran "while denouncing the violent clashes and condemning the killing of people, expresses its deep concern regarding the horrible consequences".
"Undoubtedly the current approach to developments in Egypt strengthens the likelihood of civil war in this great Islamic country."
France's foreign ministry issued a statement "strongly deploring the violence which took place in Cairo during the evacuation operations."
It offered its condolences to the families of the victims, and said it is "essential this violence ceases, and that a logic of appeasement prevails".
"France calls on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and warns against disproportionate use of force."
Britain also issed remarks, condemning the use of force and calling for restraint from security forces.
"I am deeply concerned at the escalating violence and unrest in Egypt," Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement. "I condemn the use of force in clearing protests and call on the security forces to act with restraint."
And Germany's foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, urged supporters of Egypt's interim government, as well as supporters of Morsi to renounce violence.
"We call on all political forces to return immediately to negotiations and avert an escalation of violence," he told reporters.
"All further bloodshed must be prevented."
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