UN chief urges Egypt forces to protect protesters

UN chief Ban Ki-moon. AFP FILE PHOTO

UNITED NATIONS — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on Egypt’s security forces to protect demonstrators and prevent violent clashes and urging the Egyptian people to work together to restore civilian control, constitutional order and democratic governance.

Ban expressed alarm at violent clashes between protesters, including reports of deaths and injuries by security forces and “horrifying reports of sexual violence,” the spokesman said Friday.

The U.N. chief said political leaders must demonstrate their commitment by words and actions to “a peaceful and democratic dialogue which includes all of Egypt’s constituencies, including women,” his spokesman said.

“The way forward should be determined by the people of Egypt themselves,” Ban’s spokesman said. “For such a process to succeed, there is no place for retribution or for the exclusion of any major party or community