This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21642306

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
John Kerry in Egypt to urge for political consensus Egypt's economy must get back on its feet - Kerry
(about 3 hours later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Egypt to urge the government and the opposition to reach a political consensus after months of protests. US Secretary of State John Kerry has said it was "paramount" for Egypt's economy to "get back on its feet" during talks in Cairo.
Mr Kerry is expected to stress that a political deal is needed for Egypt to secure international funds to overcome a crippling economic crisis. He urged the government to reach a deal on $4.8bn (3.2bn) IMF loan that could help overcome a severe economic crisis.
Mr Kerry is also expected to urge the government and the opposition to reach a political consensus after months of protests.
His visit comes ahead of elections boycotted by the main opposition group.His visit comes ahead of elections boycotted by the main opposition group.
The group says electoral laws favour allies of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi - a charge he denies. The National Salvation Front (NSF) says electoral laws favour allies of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in April's parliamentary elections - a charge he denies.
Mr Kerry is due to hold talks with Mr Morsi and other senior government officials during his two-day visit to Egypt. Opposition anger
"It is paramount, essential, urgent that the Egyptian economy get stronger, that it gets back on its feet," Mr Kerry told Egyptian and US businessmen in Cairo on Saturday.
"It's clear to us that the IMF arrangement needs to be reached, that we need to give the market the confidence."
Mr Morsi's government agreed the loan in principle last November but it was later put on hold amid continuing street protests.
During his two-day visit, Mr Kerry is due to hold talks with Mr Morsi and other senior government officials.
Meetings are also planned with opposition leaders, although some of them are refusing to attend the talks.Meetings are also planned with opposition leaders, although some of them are refusing to attend the talks.
They are angered by Washington's appeal to reconsider their boycott of the general elections set for next month.They are angered by Washington's appeal to reconsider their boycott of the general elections set for next month.
American political traction in Egypt has declined sharply following Mubarak's departure amid mass protests in 2011 , so it is not clear how much Mr Kerry can hope to achieve, the BBC's Jim Muir reports.
Egypt remains sharply divided between Islamists and their liberal and secular opponents.Egypt remains sharply divided between Islamists and their liberal and secular opponents.
More than 70 people were killed in violence between security forces and protesters following the second anniversary of the revolution which forced Hosni Mubarak from power. More than 70 people were killed in violence between security forces and protesters following the second anniversary of the revolution.
John Kerry's first overseas trip as secretary of state is taking him to 11 countries in Europe and the Middle East.John Kerry's first overseas trip as secretary of state is taking him to 11 countries in Europe and the Middle East.