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Kerry surprises Egypt with financial aid.

The United States released $572 million to Egypt during a surprise visit by Secretary of State John Kerry to Cairo; this is the first visit by a high-ranking US official since the inauguration of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former army chief who ousted President Mohammed Morsi last July.

The United States released $572 million to Egypt during a surprise visit by Secretary of State John Kerry to Cairo; this is the first visit by a high-ranking US official since the inauguration of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former army chief who ousted President Mohammed Morsi in July of last year (Photo: Roberta Namour).

From the Lusa News Agency - The United States released $572 million in financial aid to Egypt, US officials announced today (22) during a surprise visit by Secretary of State John Kerry to Cairo. This is the first visit by a high-ranking US official since the inauguration of President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, the former army chief who ousted President Mohammed Mursi in July last year.

The financial aid was released about two weeks ago, with the green light given by the United States Congress. The amount represents a substantial portion of the American aid to its ally – US$1,5 billion, including US$1,3 billion in military aid – which had been frozen since October, conditional on the implementation of democratic reforms in the country.
John Kerry will meet with the Egyptian head of state, who was sworn in two weeks ago, to whom he is expected to convey Washington's reservations about the repression and government tactics, which, according to the United States, are dividing Egyptian society. Kerry stated that the transition of power in Egypt is going through "a critical moment."

The trip comes a day after an Egyptian court confirmed 183 death sentences, including that of Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie. During his visit to Cairo, expected to last a few hours, Kerry will also meet with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, former Egyptian ambassador to Washington.

The Secretary of State begins a tour of the Middle East and Europe in Cairo to discuss with US allies the situation in Iraq and the need to form a unity government in the country, where Islamic extremists continue to gain ground. After Cairo, John Kerry travels to Amman for meetings with the Jordanian Secretary of State, Naser Yudeh.