Turkey pressures Egyptian leadership

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ANKARA, Turkey, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- The Turkish government called on all parties involved in an emerging political crisis in Egypt to work together to settle differences peacefully.

Lawmakers backed a measure Monday that gives the military the authority to arrest protesters in order to "safeguard state institutions against saboteurs and restore security," reports Egyptian news agency al-Ahram.

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi declared a state of emergency after protests swept across his country last week. Frustration boiled over as demonstrators marked the second anniversary of a revolution that unseated longtime President Hosni Mubarak. At least 50 people died during nationwide protests.

The Turkish government called on all parties to the political conflict to prevent an escalation of the crisis.

"It is vitally important that all parties act on the basis of compromise, peace and dialogue during this delicate period that Egypt is going through," a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs read.

Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei said opposition coalition National Salvation Front was reluctant to talk with the Morsi administration, al-Ahram reports.

"We are not against holding talks but we will not let the Egyptian people down by engaging in fake dialogue," he was quoted as saying.