UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the Egyptian military to free overthrown president Mohamed Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood leaders on Thursday.
According to a statement made by the UN Secretary General spokesperson Eduardo del Buey, Ban demanded that Morsi and his high-level backers "be released or have their cases reviewed transparently without delay."
The spokesman said Ban "is following closely, and with growing concern, developments in Egypt," as tensions again rising in Egypt ahead of rival rallies by followers of Morsi and the army on Friday.
"The secretary general once again urges all sides to act with maximum restraint. He supports the rights of all Egyptians to hold peaceful protests. He calls on the interim authorities to ensure law and order along with guaranteeing the safety and security of all Egyptians," said del Buey.
Morsi and several Muslim Brotherhood leaders have been kept under custody since the military takeover on July 3.
