Kerry Presses Morsi On Reforms

Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi (right) meets with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Cairo in March.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi to follow through on pledges to make concrete progress on economic reforms and human rights.

Kerry met with Morsi on May 25 on the sidelines of an African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

A U.S. official said Kerry told Morsi that progress on reforms was needed to ensure continuing U.S. and international aid.

Egypt’s Islamist-led government has been reluctant to impose austerity measures needed in exchange for a $4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.

The United States has pledged $190 million in aid, but says some $250 million of additional aid will depend on the implementation of reforms.

Tourism revenues have fallen sharply in Egypt since the 2011 overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP