Obama Condemns Violence in Middle East

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Barack Obama is condemning reports of violence in response to protests in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen. He's calling on the governments of those countries to show restraint.

Obama said the governments of the three countries should respect the rights of citizens demonstrating peacefully in the wake of Egypt's uprising. He expressed condolences to the families of those killed.

The president's statement was read aloud by White House press secretary Jay Carney to reporters traveling with the president on Air Force One from California to Oregon.