UN Security Council chief urges 'restraint' in Egypt

UNITED NATIONS: The Argentine president of the UN Security Council urged all parties in the crisis in Egypt to exercise "maximum restraint" Thursday, following an emergency meeting in New York.

Argentine Ambassador Maria Cristina Perceval said that the Council's 15 member states had regretted the loss of life in Cairo, called for an end to the violence and spoke of the need to advance "national reconciliation."

The meeting was requested by France, Britain and Australia a day after nearly 600 people were killed when security forces moved to clear camps of supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

France and Britain are permanent members of the Security Council and Australia is one of the 15 countries currently represented. Argentina currently presides over the Council.

Perceval said its members shared "a common desire" to stop the unrest.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the crackdown while UN rights chief Navi Pillay has urged a wide-ranging probe. (AFP)