U.S. calls for Egyptian military to release deposed president

WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) -- The Egyptian military should free deposed President Mohamed Morsi, the Obama administration says.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, asked at a Friday briefing with reporters about the German foreign minister's call for Morsi's release, said, "We agree."

Psaki said the administration recognizes Adly Mansour, appointed on an interim basis by the country's military, as Egypt's legitimate president, The Hill reported Saturday.

"It is, of course, up to the Egyptian people, as we've said a number of times, to determine their future and the path forward," she said.

The administration has not yet determined whether Morsi's overthrow resulted from a coup. A finding that it was a coup would freeze $1.5 billion in annual U.S. aid to Egypt.