CAIRO, Jan 27 (Aswat Masriya) – Egypt's ministry of foreign affairs said global condemnations to violence in Egypt are completely devoid of reality, in a statement on Tuesday.

The United States, United Kingdom and United Nations all expressed condemnation of the deadly violence that broke out in Egypt during the anniversary of the January 2011 uprising, which toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.

At least 23 were killed in the violence and more than 500 were arrested in the aftermath. Egypt's Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim accused the Muslim Brotherhood of being behind the violence.

The Foreign Ministry said it was extremely surprised at the reactions and criticised them for having "ignored the steps taken by prosecutors" to investigate the deaths.

The ministry said that the reactions have also ignored that Egypt's top prosecutor ordered an immediate investigation into the killing of slain activist Shaimaa al-Sabbagh and that he asserted that all legal measures are taken to find the perpetrators of "terrorist actions".

It added that the global reactions did not contain clear condemnations of the "violent acts and terrorism" against "innocent people and security personnel" as well as the assaults on public and private property.  

On Tuesday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said he was "deeply disturbed" by the deaths in Egypt.  

He urged Egyptian authorities to "take urgent measures to bring an end to the excessive use of force by security personnel."

“The lack of justice for past excesses by security forces simply encourages them to continue on the same path, leading to more deaths and injuries, as we have seen in recent days," the high commissioner added.

The US and UK's condemnations came on Monday. US State Department spokeswoman urged Egypt's security forces to show restraint and "to provide a safe environment in which Egyptians can peacefully express their views." 

Meanwhile, UK Foreign Office Minister for Middle East Tobias Ellwood "deplored" the recent deaths, in a statement and expressed deep concern, "by the use of deadly force by the police against demonstrators."