Kerry hopeful Egypt will return to democracy

A day before Egypt’s deposed Islamist president goes on trial, US secretary of state John Kerry expressed guarded optimism yesterday about a return to democracy in the country, as he began a tour partly aimed at easing tensions with Arab powers.

On his first visit to Egypt since the army removed president Mohammed Morsi in July, Kerry called for fair, transparent trials for all citizens.

However, he described Cairo as a vital partner, apparently trying to repair relations hurt by a partial freeze in US aid, pending progress on democracy.