Obama Cancels Military Exercises with Egypt

In a speech Thursday, President Barack Obama said the U.S. would be canceling an upcoming joint military exercise with Egypt in the wake of violent clashesbetween the military-backed government and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Obama spoke from Martha's Vineyard, where he is currently vacationing with his family. Hesaid the U.S. "strongly condemns" the crackdown by the interim government on supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi.

"We deplore violence against civilians," he said Thursday.

Obama informed the interim government that the joint military exercise scheduled for next month, called Bright Star, would be canceled. Violence has increased in the Middle Eastern country over the last few days, and more than 500 people have been killed in the clashes.

"The Egyptian people deserve better than what we've seen over the last several days," Obama said.