US will stand by Egypt, says Kerry

Cairo: Washington will "stand with the Egyptian people in their fight for the future they want", US Secretary of State John Kerry has pledged on Sunday. He was speaking after talks in the capital Cairo with Egypt's newly elected President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.

Kerry also stressed the importance of the right to free speech and the rule of law. The US has unfrozen $575m (£338m) in military aid to Egypt, state department officials said.. Kerry is the highest-ranking US official to visit since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to power, was to press the former army chief during his lightning trip to install greater political freedoms and discuss security challenges.

Since Islamist president Mohamed Morsi was toppled by Sisi in July 2013, a government crackdown on his supporters has left more than 1,400 people dead in street clashes and at least 15,000 jailed. US officials had warned that Washington still has deep concerns about the government's "polarising tactics", even though there was a "recognition that Egypt has been going through a very difficult transition".

Kerry's visit comes a day after an Egyptian court confirmed death sentences for 183 Islamists, including Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohamed Badie, after a speedy mass trial that sparked an international outcry. Kerry's latest diplomatic mission, that will also see him visit Amman, Brussels and Paris, is expected to focus on uniting Iraq's fractious leaders and repelling insurgents.