US deeply concerned by reports of arrests in Egypt for campaigning for no vote on referendum

The US is "deeply concerned" by reports of ongoing arrests in Egypt for campaigning for a no vote on the constitutional referendum, State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said on Monday. "We are also deeply troubled by reports that at least one individual was beaten during his arrest," Harf said during a briefing. "We are currently seeking more information about these reports from Egyptian authorities." Allowing campaigns both for and against the referendum lends greater credibility to the outcome, she said. "So we have certainly been giving that message to the interim government, and if Egypt's leaders want to ensure a result that is respected by the Egyptian people, it must ensure a process that the Egyptian people can have faith in and can trust in," Harf said. US officials are encouraging all Egyptians to participate in the referendum despite what has been happening, "and we call on the interim government to help create a climate that is inclusive and that does encourage people to vote, and certainly not to do the opposite," she said.