Nearly 200 Dead, Including More Than 40 Policemen In Egypt [VIDEO]

Egypt's interior minister says 43 policemen have been killed in clashes with supporters of the ousted Islamist president. That raises the overall death toll for today to nearly 200.

Supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi throw rocks while taking cover among debris during a violent crackdown by Egyptian Security Forces on a pro-Morsi sit-in demonstration at the Rabaa al-Adweya Mosque in the Nasr City district (Ed Giles/Getty Images)

Mohammed Ibrahim, who is in charge of the police, said Mohammed Morsi's supporters stormed 21 police stations and damaged or torched seven churches across the nation. He said they also stormed the Finance Ministry in Cairo and occupied its ground floor.

Ibrahim told a televised news conference that the 43 policemen killed included two major-generals and two colonels.

The Health Ministry said 149 civilians also were killed in the clashes. Riot police today swept away two protest encampments in Cairo, sparking running street battles in the capital and elsewhere.

A pro-reform leader in the interim government, Mohamed ElBaradei (ehl-BEHR'-uh-day), is resigning in protest from his post of vice president.

US: Egypt violence 'serious blow' to peace efforts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry says the violence in Egypt is deplorable and is a serious blow to reconciliation efforts. He says it runs counter to Egyptians' aspirations for peace.

Kerry says Egypt's interim leaders must take a step back and calm the situation to avoid further deaths. He also says the U.S. strongly opposes a return to a state of emergency law and that should end as soon as possible.

Kerry says he spoke with Egypt's foreign minister and believes the path to a resolution is still open.

At least 200 people were killed Wednesday, many in a crackdown on encampments supporting ousted President Mohammed Morsi that sparked running street battles in Egyptian cities. Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and pro-reform leader, has resigned.

White House Condemns Violence In Egypt

The White House is condemning violence in Egypt, saying it will only make it more difficult for the country to move forward.

At least 95 people were killed in Egypt Wednesday, many of them in assaults on the protest vigils among supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi. Egypt's interim president also declared a monthlong state of emergency, ordering the armed forces to support police in efforts to restore law and order.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest, speaking at Martha's Vineyard, Mass., where President Barack Obama is vacationing, says the violence runs counter to the pledges made by Egypt's interim government. He says the "world is watching" what is happening in Cairo and urged restraint.

The Obama administration has avoided making a determination on whether Morsi's ouster was a coup.