Obama takes cautious stand on crisis in Egypt

Striking a cautious balance, President Barack Obama called Wednesday for a quick restoration of democracy in Egypt, but stopped short of condemning Egyptian military’s removal of President Mohamed Morsi.

Saying he is ‘deeply concerned’ about the removal of Morsi and suspension of Egypt’s constitution, Obama urged all parties to work together and called on the military ‘to avoid any arbitrary arrests of President Morsi and his supporters.’

‘I now call on the Egyptian military to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through an inclusive and transparent process,’ he said in a statement.

‘The United States continues to believe firmly that the best foundation for lasting stability in Egypt is a democratic political order with participation from all sides and all political parties-secular and religious, civilian and military,’ Obama said.

Obama’s written statement followed a meeting of national security officials, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey and CIA Director John Brennan at the White House. ‘The situation in Cairo created an uncomfortable policy scenario for a US government,’ it said.