Kerry Talks Democracy In Egypt – And Promises Delivery Of Weapons

CAIRO — Two weeks after former Egyptian army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ascended to the Egyptian presidency, he is consolidating his position with endorsements from key backers the United States and Saudi Arabia.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State John Kerry touched down for a visit to Cairo - the highest level US visit since Mr. Sisi was elected president with over 96% of the vote at the end of May.

Washington’s close relationship with Cairo has traditionally been cemented by military assistance to Egypt of over $1 billion a year, but this was partially suspended last October, following a military coup and four police-led mass killings.

Despite a growing crackdown that has seen tens of thousands of government opponents arrested, most supporters of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi against whom Sisi led a military coup last July, Kerry’s touchdown in Cairo coincided with the announcement that the US had quietly sent an estimated $572 million to Cairo in military and security assistance this month.
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