As the world watches events unfold in Egypt, the World Council of Churches has issued the following statement:

The World Council of Churches is following the situation in Egypt with great concern.  Member churches in all parts of the world are praying for the people of Egypt.  There are disturbing reports of increasing numbers of people being killed, of assaults and threats and of many living in fear.  Our hopes and prayers are for the safety of citizens, for wisdom and compassion on the part of the authorities and for a non-violent and just resolution of conflicts and grievances. 

We call for peaceful dialogue and joint efforts at every level of society to find the way forward to a future that brings hope and security for the good of all people and communities.

We pray to God for mercy and protection for the Egyptian people and for all religious communities, and we are standing together with the churches in these challenging times.

President Obama is right to call for President Mubarak's transition from power to begin now - not September, as President Mubarak has suggested.  I believe, however, that the U.S. must go further in light of today's violent acts against peaceful protesters.  All U.S. military aid to Mubarak's government should be immediately suspended.

Let all people of faith - regardless of nationality or religious tradition - keep the people of Egypt in our prayers.