Talks to form a new transitional government in Egypt following the overthrow of Mohmmad Mursi were underway, as a senior US official Bill Burns arrived in Cairo early Monday.
Talks to form a new transitional government in Egypt following the overthrow of Mohmmad Mursi were underway, as a senior US official Bill Burns arrived in Cairo early Monday.
Under Secretary of State Bill Burns, the first US official to visit since Mursi’s ouster, is scheduled to stay there until Tuesday, the US State Department said.
Burns will push for "an end to all violence and a transition leading to an inclusive, democratically elected civilian government" at meetings in Cairo with various parties, it said.
Burns visit comes hours before opponents and supporters of Mursi are due to hold fresh demonstrations in the capital.
It also comes as caretaker Prime Minister, Hazem al-Beblawi, is expected to unveil his full cabinet Tuesday or Wednesday.
Among the appointments confirmed on Monday was former senior UN diplomat Mohammad ElBaradei, 71, as interim vice president for foreign relations.
Beblawi’s priorities include restoring security and preparing for parliamentary and presidential elections.
Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood has refused to join the new government headed by caretaker prime minister Hazem al-Beblawi, who is pushing ahead with talks on forming his cabinet.
The Salafist party, al-Nour, also confirmed it will not join the interim government. Spokesman Nader Bakkar told AFP: "We would participate only in an elected government."
Islamists’ Assets Frozen
Meanwhile, the new regime applies increasing pressure on the Brotherhood, with Egypt's prosecutor ordered the freezing of assets belonging to 14 top Islamists.
The assets freeze against nine senior Brotherhood figures is part of an investigation ordered by chief prosecutor Hisham Barakat.
Those targeted include leader Mohamed Badie and five Islamists from other groups including Gamaa Islamiya, judicial sources said.
The investigation relates to four deadly incidents since Mursi's overthrow, including clashes in Cairo last Monday in which dozens died.
