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EU to 'Urgently Review' Ties With Egypt


European Union flags are seen outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels in this October 27, 2010, file photo.
European Union flags are seen outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels in this October 27, 2010, file photo.
The European Union says it will "urgently review" its relationship with Egypt where deadly clashes continue to take place between security forces and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

A lengthy joint statement issued Sunday by the heads of the European Commission and European Council says the calls for democracy and fundamental rights "cannot be disregarded, much less washed away in blood."

Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy say it is the responsibility of the army and interim government to bring the violence to an end. The two European leaders expressed concern about the effect the violence may have on the entire region.

On Saturday, a bomb exploded outside of the Egyptian consulate in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi.

Islamists and other demonstrators have staged rallies elsewhere in the region to protest against the Egyptian government's crackdown on civilians.

Several thousand Arabs in Israel waved Egyptian flags and pictures of Morsi on Saturday as they marched thorough the northern city of Nazareth.

Hundreds of people gathered outside of the Egyptian embassy in Tunis Friday where they denounced the crackdown.

Thousands of people rallied in Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey, in a show of solidarity with Egypt's protesters.

Also, large groups of Muslims rallying in Indonesia and Malaysia urged the Egyptian government to refrain from using force on protesters.
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