WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government on Tuesday urged Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi to bridge divisions among all political sides following the approval of the newly-written draft constitution in the Arab country's landmark referendum.
"The future of Egypt's democracy depends on forging a broader consensus behind its new democratic rules and institutions," U.S. State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said in a statement, noting that many Egyptians have voiced "deep concerns" about the substance of the constitution.
"President Morsi, as the democratically elected leader of Egypt, has a special responsibility to move forward in a way that recognizes the urgent need to bridge divisions, build trust, and broaden support for the political process," he said.
"We have called for genuine consultation and compromise across Egypt's political divides," Ventrell said, calling on all parties in the country to refrain from violence.
Earlier the day, Egypt's electoral authorities announced that the newly-written draft constitution was approved by 63.8 percent of votes in the referendum.
Late in November, 85 members of the beleaguered Egyptian Constituent Assembly approved the draft constitution after a 17- hour marathon vote. Morsi then called on Egyptians to cast their votes in the referendum.
Most liberals, leftists and Copts believe that the draft written by the Islamist-dominated assembly does not represent all Egyptians, especially after major representatives of the civil camp withdrew from the assembly due to unbridgeable division with the Islamic side on some of the articles.
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