BRUSSELS: EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton urged Egypt on Monday to send a powerful signal to Muslims and Christians after a deadly clash in Cairo raised fears of deepening religious strife.
"I commend the prompt measures taken by the interim leadership to restore order, and I urge the authorities to bring those responsible for the violence to justice, before civilian courts," Ashton said in a statement.
Fierce clashes broke out between Christians and Muslims in northwest Cairo’s working-class district of Imbaba where 12 people were killed, scores injured and a church set ablaze on Saturday.
Among the dead were six Muslims and four Christians while two bodies were still unidentified.
"Freedom of religion or belief is a universal human right which needs to be protected everywhere," Ashton insisted.
