US urges new Egyptian PM Morsi to respect rights of country's non-Muslim population

Washington, June 25 (ANI): The Obama administration has urged newly elected Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi to respect the rights of the country's religious minorities.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, who congratulated Morsi on his victory, made the appeal in a statement amid concerns that the Muslim Brotherhood candidate's win marked a shift toward Islamist rule.

"We look forward to working together with President-elect Morsi and the government he forms, on the basis of mutual respect, to advance the many shared interests between Egypt and the United States," Fox News quoted Carney, as saying.

He urged Morsi to take steps to 'advance national unity' in forming a new government, and protect the country's non-Muslim population.

"We believe in the importance of the new Egyptian government upholding universal values, and respecting the rights of all Egyptian citizens-including women and religious minorities such as Coptic Christians," Carney said.

"Millions of Egyptians voted in the election, and President-elect Morsi and the new Egyptian government have both the legitimacy and responsibility of representing a diverse and courageous citizenry," he added.

According to the report, U.S. President Barack Obama called Morsi to congratulate him on his victory, underscoring that America will continue to support Egypt's transition into democracy. (ANI)