Bloodshed feared in Egypt after diplomatic efforts fail

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's army-installed government said on Wednesday diplomatic efforts to resolve the political crisis had failed and signaled it was gearing to take action against supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi gathered at two protest camps in Cairo.

Envoys from the United States, European Union, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had been trying to defuse the crisis and prevent further bloodshed.

But President Adli Mansour's office said the period of international efforts, which began more than 10 days ago, had "ended today".

Soon after, interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi said the government's decision to dismantle the protest camps was final and its patience had nearly expired.

The protesters had "broken all the limits of peacefulness", Beblawi said, accusing them of inciting violence, blocking roads and detaining citizens.

Any use of weapons against policemen or citizens would "be confronted with utmost force and decisiveness," he said.

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