American senators urge Egypt to prevent civil war

American Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham have urged military leaders in Egypt to act immediately to prevent a civil war in the country.

“We met with leaders from the civilian government, armed forces, political parties, civil society and the Muslim Brotherhood,” the Republican senators wrote in an op-ed piece in The Washington Post.

“We returned convinced that time is quickly running out to resolve this crisis, but that there is still a chance to do so if Egyptians of goodwill come together for the sake of their country, which is the heart of the Arab world and home to a quarter of its people.” they wrote.

The lawmakers’ comments came after they returned from a recent trip to Egypt, which has been the scene of violence after the military ousted President Mohamed Morsi in a coup on July 3.

“We find it difficult to describe the circumstances of Morsi’s removal from office as anything other than a coup. Unsuccessful leaders in a democracy should leave office by losing elections,” the senators asserted.

The American officials also asked Cairo to allow the White House to continue its military aid to the North African country.

“We still believe Egypt can serve as a model of inclusive democracy that can inspire the region and the world, and, in this great endeavor, the United States must continue to offer its support,” McCain and Graham concluded.

The recent political turnover in Egypt has put the White House in a limbo with regard to its annual $1.5 billion aid to the country.

According to US law, financial assistance to any country whose elected head of state is deposed in a military coup is prohibited. The White House has shied away from calling Morsi’s ouster a military coup.