Former United States President Jimmy Carter has said that due to the state of emergency now in-place in Egypt the security forces have “an extra responsibility.”
Carter, said on Saturday: “The declared state of emergency places an extra responsibility on the armed security forces of Egypt to remain within reasonable limitations not only of the use of lethal force but a fundamental respect for the human rights of their fellow Egyptians.”
The 39th US President expressed his deep concern “that the ongoing violence in Egypt is rapidly eroding the chances for dialogue and a road to reconciliation.” He added that he was also concerned that civilians “are arming themselves and engaging in inter-communal violence,” and that “turning against one another will only lead to more pain and suffering.”
He stressed the need for dialogue between Egypt’s leaders and citizens to break “the cycle of violence.” He expressed his hope that people in Egypt “will see the wisdom of a commitment to end the violence, restoration of peaceful dialogue and debate, and the most rapid possible return to constitutional order with full respect for human rights.”