Update: Denmark suspends aid to Egypt in aftermath of security crackdown

International reactions to the security crackdown on two sit-ins calling for the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Morsi have varied from calls for restraint to outright condemnation.

On Thursday, countries began declaring punitive measures in reaction to the violent security measures that left at least 525 dead, according to the Health Ministry.  

France and Germany both summoned Egyptian ambassadors to their capitals on Thursday to voice their disapproval of the incident.

French President Francois Hollande issued a statement expressing concern over “the tragic events,” affirming that the right to peaceful protest must be respected, and adding that France is committed to finding a political solution to the crisis in Egypt.

He called for elections to be held as soon as possible, and for the state of emergency that was declared on Wednesday evening to be lifted.

German Prime Minister Guido Westerwelle also summoned the Egyptian ambassador to Berlin to express his concerns.

Denmark reacted to the government’s crackdown on pro-Morsi protesters by suspending its development aid to Egypt on Thursday.

Christian Friis Bach, the Danish development aid minister, told media that the suspension of funds was a response to "the bloody events and the very regrettable turn that the development of democracy has taken in Egypt."

Denmark collaborates with the Egyptian government on two projects with a total budget of US$5.3 million.

In a statement released Wednesday, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton stopped short of assigning blame to any party.

“Confrontations and violence is not the way forward to resolve key political issues. I deplore the loss of lives, injuries and destruction in Cairo and other places in Egypt,” the statement said. “I call on the security forces to exercise utmost restraint and on all Egyptian citizens to avoid further provocations and escalation.”

Ashton had met with Morsi, as well as government figures, when she visited Cairo last week. Diplomats from the US and European Union had attempted to mediate between political groups in Egypt. The efforts were lampooned both in Egypt and abroad for failing.

Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul called the raids “completely unacceptable,” Reuters reported. On Thursday, Turkey called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss the situation.

Qatar also strongly protested the actions of the security forces. “Qatar strongly denounces the means by which peaceful protesters in Rabea al-Adaweya and Nahda Square have been dealt with,” said a foreign ministry statement on the Qatar News Agency.

Both Qatar and Turkey had close relations with Morsi’s government. Qatar had injected billions of dollars of hard currency, while Turkey and Egypt signed multiple bilateral trade deals.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the escalating violence “bitter and regrettable,” in a statement on the Fars News Agency.

It said the ministry “voices its deep concern about the grave consequences of such events, while it also condemns violent behaviors and killing of the people.”

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary William Hague also released a statement.

“I am deeply concerned at the escalating violence and unrest in Egypt, and regret the loss of life on all sides,” the statement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.”

“I am disappointed that compromise has not been possible. I condemn the use of force in clearing protests and call on the security forces to act with restraint.”

The US, which is Egypt’s largest trading partner and has close ties to the Egyptian military, has yet to issue a statement.