Kerry to visit Cairo soon

US Secretary of State John Kerry is planning to visit Egypt soon, it has been announced. This will be the first visit of a senior member of Barack Obama’s administration since the military coup against President Mohamed Morsi on July 3.

Speaking to employees at the State Department, Mr Kerry said, “I think that we will be able to head to Cairo within weeks.” He stressed that he would meet with civil society officials while in Egypt.

A spokeswoman said that the US is waiting to see “tangible progress towards forming a democratically elected civil government” in Egypt. In any case, added Kerry, this is not connected to the suspension of US aid to the “interim” government.

The current Egyptian government was appointed by the army, which overthrew the president chosen by the people through free and fair democratic procedures.