The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over recent deadly clashes in the Egyptian capital Cairo that left at least five people dead.

The UN chief on Friday highlighted “the importance of peaceful protest, respect for freedom of assembly and commitment to non-violence" in the North African country, according to UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.

He also expressed "his concern at the serious violence" and mounting tensions in Egypt, the spokesman added.

The reaction came hours after at least five people were killed and dozens others injured during clashes between security forces and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi in Cairo.

Thousands of Muslim Brotherhood activists and their supporters staged protests in Cairo after Friday prayers against a brutal crackdown by the army that toppled Morsi in July.

"The secretary-general continues to underscore the need for political inclusion, full respect for human rights, including of those detained in prison, and the rule of law as the basis for a peaceful, democratic transition," said Nesirky.


Pro-Morsi demonstrations plan to hold more protest rallies on Sunday, marking the anniversary of 1973 war between Israel and Egypt.

Egypt has been experiencing unrelenting violence since July 3, when the army ousted Morsi’s government, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the parliament. It also appointed the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Adly Mahmoud Mansour, as the new interim president.

The government of Mansour has launched a bloody crackdown on Morsi supporters and arrested more than 2,000 Brotherhood members, including the party’s leader, Mohamed Badie, who was detained on August 20.

About 1,000 people were killed in a week of violence between Morsi supporters and security forces after police dispersed their protest camps in a deadly operation on August 14.

The massacre sparked international condemnation and prompted world bodies to call for an independent investigation into the violence.