BRUSSELS, July 4. /ITAR-TASS reporter Denis Dubrovin/. The European Union urges all opposition parties in Egypt "to return to the normal democratic process by holding early free and fair presidential elections" as soon as possible. This was stated today the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.

She has also called on all parties "to exercise restraint and abstain from violence."

As previously reported, after days of mass protests against President Mohammed Mursi, the Defense Minister of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the withdrawal of his powers, as well as the suspension of the constitution, as well as the formation of the government and a committee to amend the basic law. Currently Mursi is detained and, according to some reports, is contained in the building of the Ministry of Defence. There are reports of clashes between supporters and opponents of the deposed president in different cities of Egypt.