US rejects Egypt's criticism on Ferguson protests

The US rejected criticisms levelled by Egypt today over the police’s handling of the unrest taking place in the town of Ferguson, Missouri, asserting that Washington addresses its problems “with integrity and transparency”.

US State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf said: “Look, we here in the United States will put our record for confronting our problems transparently and honestly and openly up against any other countries in the world. When things occur, as you’ve heard the president speak about, we look at them, as I said, transparently, honestly, and openly. And we, of course, would suggest that other countries do the same thing.”

Adding: “People are free to say what they want and they’re free to comment on things that happen in this country. I’m also free to disagree with the comparisons that some are making.”

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced earlier yesterday that Egypt was following up closely with the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, calling on the US to show restraint and respect the people’s right to assembly.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Bader Abdel-Atti said in statement: “Egypt is following up closely on the escalation of protests and demonstrations in the city of Ferguson and the reactions to them.”

Abdul-Aati said the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statements “reflect the international community’s position on the events, especially his demands to exercise restraint and respect the right of assembly and peaceful expression of opinion.”

Two people were injured and 31 others were arrested on Monday in the town of Ferguson during clashes between protesters and police over the shooting of Michael Brown nine days ago.

The UN National Guards spread Monday in the town while Missouri governor, Jay Nixon announced lifting the curfew that was imposed after the protests that erupted in there. The violent clashes between the protestors and the police which came under fire earlier occurred despite the curfew.