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| US senators urge Egypt to free political prisoners | US senators urge Egypt to free political prisoners |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Two leading US senators have urged Egypt's military-backed interim government to release all political prisoners during a visit to Cairo. | Two leading US senators have urged Egypt's military-backed interim government to release all political prisoners during a visit to Cairo. |
| John McCain and Lindsey Graham also called for a national dialogue that included all parties. | |
| They spoke after meeting Egypt's armed forces chief, as part of a diplomatic push to end the political crisis. | They spoke after meeting Egypt's armed forces chief, as part of a diplomatic push to end the political crisis. |
| More than 250 people have been killed since President Mohammed Morsi was overthrown by the military on 3 July. | More than 250 people have been killed since President Mohammed Morsi was overthrown by the military on 3 July. |
| Mr Morsi and several other prominent figures in the Muslim Brotherhood are currently being detained on suspicion of various offences. | |
| Their supporters are demanding Mr Morsi's reinstatement, something the interim authorities have insisted will not happen. | |
| At a news conference on Tuesday, Senator McCain said what happened in Egypt in the coming weeks would be "very critical" and would have a "decisive impact on this country, but also on the broader Middle East". | |
| "We are confident that Egypt can still serve as a model of inclusive democracy that can inspire this region and the world, and we will continue to support our friends here every step of the way." | |
| "We have urged the release of political prisoners. We have urged a national dialogue that is inclusive of all parties that renounce the use of violence. We have strongly urged a set timetable for amendment of the constitution, elections for the parliament, followed by elections for the presidency," he added. |