Clinton: Egypt’s unrest shows need for dialogue

BRUSSELS (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says Egypt‘s unrest shows the urgent need for dialogue between President Mohammed Morsi’s government and opposing voices on a constitutional path going forward.

Speaking at NATO, Mrs. Clinton said the U.S. wants to see a constitution emerge that protects the rights of all Egyptians — men and women, and Christian and Muslim.

But asked to specifically address any shortcoming in the Islamist-supported draft constitution, Mrs. Clinton didn’t name any.

Rights groups as well as secular opponents of Mr. Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood criticize the draft. They say it rolls back the rights of women, religious minorities and others.

Mrs. Clinton said Wednesday the dialogue needed to be two-way — not the government imposing its view.

She also called for Egypt‘s courts to be allowed to function.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.