Ban condemns killings in Egypt

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the killings in Egypt early on Monday. The UN chief called for a thorough and independent investigation and urged all Egyptians to work constructively and inclusively for a peaceful way forward, his press office said in a statement, issued late on Monday Ban is "gravely concerned about the mounting violence in Egypt as the country's political crisis continues. He is deeply disturbed by the reported killings of more than 50 people at protests outside the Republican Guard headquarters in Egypt earlier today," the statement said, conveying his sincere condolences to the families of the victims. "The Secretary-General condemns these killings and calls for them to be thoroughly investigated by independent and competent national bodies, and those responsible need to be brought to justice," it added. He urged all Egyptians and political parties to work constructively to forge a consensus on the way forward through peaceful means, and noted that, for such a process to succeed, all parties and communities must be included, expressing the UN readiness to assist as necessary. Ban called on all Egyptians to be mindful of the "precarious path the country is now on and to do everything possible to avoid further escalation." He once again urged all sides to act with maximum restraint, insisting that "protests must remain peaceful and the security forces must abide strictly by international standards."