The European Union has agreed to restrict exports of arms and security equipment to Egypt in response to the mounting violence, but will maintain economic assistance.
EU foreign ministers roundly condemned the bloodshed after four hours of emergency talks called in the middle of Europe's summer break after the deaths of almost 1000 people in a week of unrelenting violence.
The ministers described recent operations by Egyptian security forces as "disproportionate", and condemned "acts of terrorism" in the Sinai and attacks on Coptic churches blamed on the Muslim Brotherhood.
In response, member states would suspend export licences to Egypt for all equipment that might be used for internal repression, would review security assistance, and would reassess arms export licences.
"It is a very clear and determined signal towards Egypt for an end of the violence and a return to a political process that includes all the different political forces," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said.
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Britain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands have all adopted arms restrictions measures, but there was little taste from EU nations for a reduction in the EU's economic aid packages or for trade sanctions.
Italy's Emma Bonino said any such idea would be "counter-productive", while British Foreign Secretary William Hague said support for the majority of Egyptians "who want a stable, democratic and prosperous country" shouldn't be cut off.
Hours before the EU talks, Saudi Arabia urged global powers not to take measures that could "hamper the efforts of Egypt's government to stabilise" the country.
Expressing concern over the economic situation, the ministers said "assistance in the socio-economic sector and to civil society will continue".
But they warned that "the EU will monitor the situation in Egypt closely and readjust its cooperation accordingly".
Total aid at stake amounts to nearly five billion euros ($A7.5 billion) in loans and grants promised by the world's top aid donor to Egypt for 2012-13.
But because EU aid was made contingent on political and judicial reforms after the January 2011 uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak, only a paltry 16 million euros have been paid out this year.
Military assistance amounts only to 140 million euros a year, well below US defence aid.
Calling on "all Egyptians" to halt the cycle of violence, the EU urged the authorities to end the state of emergency and release all political prisoners -- which would include ousted president Mohamed Morsi, in detention since July 3.
