US closely watching developments in Egypt

The U.S. said here Wednesday it is "closely watching" developments in Egypt, saying all Egyptians have the right to express their opinion freely. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Patrick Ventrell told reporters that the U.S. has urged the government "to protect that right," and urge all parties "to refrain from violence and to express their views peacefully." He added that political leaders in Egypt "have the responsibility of taking steps to ensure that groups do not resort to violence." "We call on the government to be responsive to the justified concerns of its people," he stressed, and that Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi "as Egypt's first democratically elected leader, has a special responsibility to reach out to all political groups and try to build consensus through compromise." "We continue to support Egypt's democratic transition ... our support to the Egyptian people is not based on one part or one group, it's not for any particular party, it's for the success of all Egyptians," he affirmed. Ventrell reiterated that "we want the Egyptians to prosper. We want their democratic system to succeed and we want the rights of all Egyptians to be protected. That's our key interest in Egypt." He noted that peaceful demonstrations "should be allowed, but that people should not resort to violence." "We want all Egyptians to understand that we support the success of the Egyptian people," he remarked, and that "we want to have a good, positive relationship with the government of Egypt."