President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the âexcessiveâ use of military force in Egypt âcontradicts democratic values and human rightsâ, following violence against thousands of protesters in Cairo on Wednesday
resident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the 'excessive' useof military force in Egypt'contradicts democratic values and human rights', following violence againstthousands of protesters in Cairo onWednesday.
'I am very concerned with the evolving situation in Egypt. Casualties are rising. Indonesia hopes that the situation will not worsen,' Yudhoyono said via his Twitter account, @SBYudhoyono, on Thursday.
He also said that Indonesia expected the Egyptian government, the military and the Muslim Brotherhood would do all they could to prevent more casualties from occurring.
'A win-win solution must be found, no matter how difficult [it might be]. Cessation of all acts of violence by both sides must first commence,' Yudhoyono tweeted. 'Fifteen years ago, Indonesia endured political turmoil and security threats. We overcame them because military and civilians together supported reforms.'
Egyptian military and police forcibly dispersed the demonstrators staging protests in Cairo's landmark Rabiah Adawiyah square with tanks, helicopters and bulldozers on Wednesday. Reports said that shootings were heard during the operation.
Vice president of the Egyptian transitional government Mohamed ElBaradei resigned in protest of the use of violence by the state apparatus.
The Egyptian government imposed martial law in 14 provinces across the country on Wednesday, following the dispersion of protesters.
Previously, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa had also urged an immediate end to the use of violence by the Egyptian state.
'The use of force, which has led to the loss of lives, will not address the issue. The international community needs to support efforts of reconciliation among the parties in Egypt and urge the ending of violence,' Marty said in an official statement.
A total of 278 people have been killed during political turmoil in Egypt since the ouster of Mohamed Morsi early last month, reports said.(dic)
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