Azerbaijan, Baku, August 15 /Trend A.Taghiyeva /
The U.S. is considering cancelling proposed joint military exercises with Egypt as a sign of protest against the death of protesters during their dispersal by the country's army, Al Arabiya TV channel reported on Thursday citing a senior source in the U.S. government.
Joint military exercises were planned by Egypt and the United States to be carried out this year. Such an event is held every two years.
The previous day, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the killing of peaceful demonstrators in Egypt. He urged the government "to respect basic human rights" and begin the process of political settlement.
On Wednesday the Egyptian army launched a crackdown on the protesting supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, using military equipment and firearms.
According to official data, the number of those killed in clashes exceeded 280 and more than 1000 were wounded. Leaders of Muslim Brotherhood movement claim that about 1500 people were killed during the dispersal of demonstrations and about 10,000 civilians were injured.
On July 3, Egypt's army ousted the Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, suspended the Constitution and asked the head of the Constitutional Court to perform the duties of head of state for a transitional period.
Morsi's supporters who don't agree with the army's decision have been carrying out daily protests for six weeks demanding the return of president's powers and restoration of the Constitution.
The Egyptian court also extended the decision to arrest Morsi for 15 days as part of an on-going investigation. The court accused Morsi of cooperation with Hamas, as well as the escape from prison during the revolution in 2011.