EU condemns Egypt violence, suspends some arms export licenses but leaves aid untouched

BRUSSELS – European Union foreign ministers are “strongly condemning” the recent violence in Egypt but stopping short of halting aid programs for fear of hitting ordinary citizens.

The 28-nation bloc’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Wednesday the EU is calling on all sides to go back to the negotiating table to avoid further bloodshed.

She says all EU states agreed to suspend export licenses for weapons or goods that could be used for internal repression. She says they will also review their aid programs.

Ashton says the ministers strongly condemned the disproportionate use of force by the Egyptian security forces but also violence by some of those opposed to the authorities.

Clashes between Egyptian security forces and supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi have killed hundreds of people since last week.