US worried over Mursi seizing power in Egypt

Following Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's decision to seize more power for himself through a decree, the United States has expressed concern for Egyptians and for the international community.

"The decisions and declarations announced on November 22 raise concerns for many Egyptians and for the international community," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said in a statement.

"One of the aspirations of the revolution was to ensure that power would not be overly concentrated in the hands of any one person or institution," Nuland said.

"The current constitutional vacuum in Egypt can only be resolved by the adoption of a constitution that includes checks and balances and respects fundamental freedoms, individual rights and the rule of law consistent with Egypt's international commitments," she said.

"We call for calm and encourage all parties to work together and call for all Egyptians to resolve their differences over these important issues peacefully and through democratic dialogue," Nuland said in an apparent reference to the wide-spread protests against the decision of the Egyptian president.