France: Bloodshed Must Stop in Egypt

France urged Egypt on Tuesday to end the "bloodshed" that has left as many as 300 people dead in anti-government protests there.

"That must stop," French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told reporters. "The blood must stop flowing. There have been too many deaths, too many wounded."

The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said Tuesday that as many as 300 people may have died in the massive protests calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

Valero also said that representatives from 15 French companies with interests in Egypt were due to meet later Tuesday with foreign ministry officials to discuss the situation there.

French building material giant Lafarge said Monday it had suspended production at its vast Egyptian cement works because of the political crisis gripping the country.