(BBC) The UN Security Council has urged all parties in Egypt to exercise "maximum restraint", after an emergency meeting.
This comes a day after least 638 people were killed when security forces broke up the camps of protesters allied to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The protesters had been demanding the reinstatement of President Mohammed Morsi, overthrown by the army in July.
Meanwhile, Egypt's presidency said US President Obama's condemnation of the crackdown was "not based on facts".
"We deplore violence against civilians, " said Barack Obama, adding that joint military exercises with the Egyptian army were being cancelled.
He said co-operation could not continue while civilians were being killed. However, he stopped short of cutting the $1.3bn (£830m) in aid, which the US gives to Egypt.
But Egypt's presidency said the US leader's reaction "may encourage violent armed groups".
Egypt is currently in a state of emergency. The interior ministry has given police authorisation to use live ammunition in self-defence or when dealing with attacks on government buildings.
Many areas are affected by night-time curfews. The US has warned its citizens not to travel to Egypt, and says those already there should leave.
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