Russia calls for restraint in Egypt

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MOSCOW, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Moscow on Wednesday called on all political forces in Egypt to exercise restraint as nationwide violence sparked by a bloody crackdown on supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi has left at least 149 people dead.

"In the difficult period Egypt is experiencing, we reconfirm our urge to all political forces in that friendly country to exercise restraint and moderation and to be guided by supreme national interests," Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Russia appealed to Egyptians not to further escalate the tension, noting that democratic renewal and deep reforms in the interest of all Egyptians could be secured through wide dialogue and resumption of political process based on national accord.

Also in the day, Russia closed its consular section in Cairo for two days, citing security concerns amidst "dangerous escalation of the domestic political crisis."

More than 1,400 others were injured in violent clashes that broke out across Egypt after security forces moved in to break up encampments supporting the country's first elected President Morsi, who was deposed by the military on July 3. His followers have been encamped in two Cairo squares demanding his reinstatement.

Hours after the raids, Egypt's interim president declared a state of emergency nationwide for one month, imposing a curfew on Cairo and 10 other provinces and allowing security forces to arrest civilians indefinitely without charge.

• France calls for peaceful solution to Egypt violence
• 235 killed, over 2,000 injured in Egypt's unrest: Health Ministry
• 15 killed, 203 injured as Egypt's security forces clear up pro- Morsi sit-ins: health official
• Egypt's police start disbanding pro-Morsi sit-ins, casualties reported
• Morsi supporters, opponents clash in Cairo, 1 killed
• Egyptian chaos shows Western-style democracy not universal panacea
• Egypt moving persistently toward roadmap: president
• Thousands of Morsi's supporters continue protest in Cairo
• Int'l mediation intensifies in Egypt
• Egypt-Gulf ties likely to restore balance in post- Islamist era

• Egyptian army ousts President Morsi

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