CHILMARK, Mass., Aug 15 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama spoke out on Thursday against the violence in Egypt, condemning a military crackdown there and saying the United States had canceled joint military exercises scheduled for next month.

"The United States strongly condemns the steps that have been taken by Egypt's interim government and security forces," Obama said from his vacation home on the Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard.

"We deplore violence against civilians. We support universal rights essential to human dignity, including the right to peaceful protest." (Reporting by Steve Holland and Jeff Mason; editing by Jackie Frank)