ABoard Air Force One: The United States on Monday urged Egypt's military and government to work together, a day after President Muhammad Mursi forced out the country's longtime defense minister.
| Sure Hillary, that'll happen. Lions lie down with hyenas all the time... |
| Although it's my understanding that generally only the lions get up on their own afterward. |
"It is important for the Egyptian military and civilian leadership to work closely together to address the economic and security challenges facing Egypt," White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters. "We hope that President Mursi's announcement will serve the interests of the Egyptian people."
The US reaction came a day after Mursi forced Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi to retire and scrapped a recent constitutional document that gave the military legislative and other powers. Tantawi was replaced by Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi, whom Carney said was known to the United States from his previous position and whose appointment it welcomed.
"We had expected President Mursi to coordinate with the military to name a new defense team and we will continue to work with Egypt's civilian and military leaders to advance our many shared interests," he said.
Carney reiterated that the United States was prepared to help Mursi and the military as they work to prevent future attacks.
| Using borrowed Chinese money, based on current indications. |
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