Canada has urged all parties in Egypt to remain calm, avoiding violence and engaging in meaningful political dialogue, after the army removed President Mohamed Morsi from power.

Calmness was important not only for Egypt, but, given Egypt's influence, for the whole region, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said in a statement issued late Wednesday.

"Canada firmly believes that implementing a transparent democratic system that respects the voices of its citizens, and that encourages and respects the contributions of civil society and all other segments of the population -- including religious minorities -- is the best way to restore calm and give all Egyptians a stake in the future stability and prosperity of Egypt," he said.

Baird said all Egyptians had the right to live in a free, democratic and secure society.

Egypt's armed forces on Wednesday ousted embattled President Morsi, who won presidential elections in June 2012 as a candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood-backed Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), and is still insisting he is the legitimate president of Egypt.

Egypt's generals have put the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court in charge of the country for a transitional period and suspended the constitution under a military roadmap. Endi

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