The German government condemned on Friday, Jan 25, any comments that might damage the goal of Middle East peace as "unhelpful", when asked about remarks on Jews that Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi is reported to have made in 2010 when he was a Muslim Brotherhood leader.

"I will not comment on the remarks that have been attributed to Mr. Mursi," a spokesman for the German foreign ministry told a news conference ahead of a visit by President Mursi to Germany next week, according to Reuters.

"But for the German government it is clear that reducing tensions and working towards a long-term solution is the top priority in the Middle East. This applies not only to Egypt, but also to Egypt. Aggressive or hurtful comments from any side are unhelpful."