U.S.: Egypt violence should not delay elections, transition to democracy

            The White House called for restraint in Egypt on Monday after violent clashes that killed protesters and security forces, and said the transition to democracy should continue. "As the Egyptian people shape their future, the United States continues to believe that the rights of minorities - including Copts - must be respected, and that all people have the universal rights of peaceful protest and religious freedom," the White House said in a statement. "These tragic events should not stand in the way of timely elections and a continued transition to democracy that is peaceful, just and inclusive," it said. The White House also noted Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf's call for an investigation into Sunday's clashes and his appeal to all parties to refrain from violence. Egyptian military police raced armored vehicles into a crowd of Christians who were protesting Sunday in response to the partial demolition of a church last month in Aswan, southern Egypt, and demanding that Aswan governor Mostafa al-Sayed be dismissed for failing to protect it. Christians, and some Muslim activists, said the army had used excessive force, which led to the death of 25 people, most of them Coptic demonstrators. Protesters pelted military police with stones, petrol bombs and set light to army and other vehicles in the worst violence since Hosni Mubarak was ousted on February 11. (19,30)