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Egypt says foreign mediation has failed to resolve crisis Egypt says foreign mediation has failed to resolve crisis
(about 1 hour later)
Egypt's interim presidency says international efforts to resolve the political crisis which followed the deposing of Mohammed Morsi have failed. International efforts to resolve the political crisis which followed the ousting of Mohammed Morsi have failed, Egypt's interim presidency says.
Interim head of state Adly Mansour and his backers in the military have been talking to diplomats from the US, EU, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.Interim head of state Adly Mansour and his backers in the military have been talking to diplomats from the US, EU, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
More than 250 people have been killed in political unrest since Mr Morsi was ousted on 3 July after street protests.More than 250 people have been killed in political unrest since Mr Morsi was ousted on 3 July after street protests.
Two US senators on Tuesday called for mediation with his Muslim Brotherhood. The interim PM urged Morsi supporters to end protests and disperse.
But the Egyptian presidency declared in a statement that the "phase of diplomatic efforts has ended today". The government's decision to break up the protest camps led by the Muslim Brotherhood was "final and irreversible" and it had all but run out of patience, said Hazem Beblawi in a televised statement.
"These efforts have not achieved the hoped for results," it added. Any use of weapons against police would meet "utmost force and decisiveness," he was quoted as saying.
Brotherhood blamedBrotherhood blamed
The Egyptian presidency declared in a statement that the "phase of diplomatic efforts has ended today".
"These efforts have not achieved the hoped for results," said the statement.
The presidency said it "holds the Muslim Brotherhood completely responsible for the failure of these efforts, and for consequent events and developments relating to violations of the law and endangering public safety".The presidency said it "holds the Muslim Brotherhood completely responsible for the failure of these efforts, and for consequent events and developments relating to violations of the law and endangering public safety".
Interim authorities have repeatedly asked Brotherhood supporters to end two major sit-ins in Cairo. Diplomats have voiced concerns about the possible use of force to break up the protests.Interim authorities have repeatedly asked Brotherhood supporters to end two major sit-ins in Cairo. Diplomats have voiced concerns about the possible use of force to break up the protests.
Wednesday's statement said there was "full Egyptian government support" for the move to end the sit-ins peacefully, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Cairo notes.Wednesday's statement said there was "full Egyptian government support" for the move to end the sit-ins peacefully, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Cairo notes.
But the sit-ins have lasted five weeks and the statement leaves people uncertain as to what will happen next, our correspondent adds.But the sit-ins have lasted five weeks and the statement leaves people uncertain as to what will happen next, our correspondent adds.
In a televised statement seen by the Reuters news agency, Egypt's interim prime minister, Hazem el-Beblawi, vowed to break up the protest camps. He also said the protesters had "broken all the limits of peacefulness" by inciting violence, using weapons, blocking roads, and detaining citizens. Two US senators on Tuesday earlier called for mediation with Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. The US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns has now left Egypt after several days of mediation talks. He was assisted by the EU envoy, Bernardino Leon.
The US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns has now left Egypt after several days of mediation talks. He was assisted by the EU envoy, Bernardino Leon.
"We will continue to do all we can to try and encourage people to get this inclusive dialogue going," said EU spokesman Michael Mann."We will continue to do all we can to try and encourage people to get this inclusive dialogue going," said EU spokesman Michael Mann.
"It is... important to see a return to the democratic transition in Egypt. We will continue our efforts.""It is... important to see a return to the democratic transition in Egypt. We will continue our efforts."
Unrest continuesUnrest continues
Clashes between Mr Morsi's supporters and residents in the city of Alexandria have left one person dead and dozens wounded, Associated Press news agency reported.Clashes between Mr Morsi's supporters and residents in the city of Alexandria have left one person dead and dozens wounded, Associated Press news agency reported.
Supporters of the former president have held daily street protests in Cairo and other cities.Supporters of the former president have held daily street protests in Cairo and other cities.
Mr Morsi has been detained since he was deposed early last month. His whereabouts are not known. But the EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton visited him last week and said he was "safe".Mr Morsi has been detained since he was deposed early last month. His whereabouts are not known. But the EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton visited him last week and said he was "safe".
In their talks with Egyptian officials on Tuesday, the US Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham called for the release of political prisoners and negotiations between the Muslim Brotherhood - which Mr Morsi belongs to - and the authorities.In their talks with Egyptian officials on Tuesday, the US Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham called for the release of political prisoners and negotiations between the Muslim Brotherhood - which Mr Morsi belongs to - and the authorities.
"Democracy is the only viable path to stability," said Mr McCain. He called for "an inclusive political process in which all Egyptians are free to participate"."Democracy is the only viable path to stability," said Mr McCain. He called for "an inclusive political process in which all Egyptians are free to participate".