US pledges $450m to back Egypt's faltering economy

WASHINGTON. March 4. KAZINFORM US Secretary of State John Kerry has pledged $450m (£300m) to support Egypt's faltering economy but warned Cairo that "more hard work" is needed.

photo: QAZINFORM

Mr Kerry's comments came after talks with President Mohammed Morsi.

He urged Mr Morsi to ensure April polls were free, fair and transparent.

His visit came amid unrest over a trial of alleged perpetrators of football riots last year. Hours after Mr Kerry left, a policeman was killed in the city of Port Said, the army said.

A military officer was among several hundred wounded in the unrest, as police dispersed a crowd of about 5,000 protesters with tear gas.

The battle continued into the night and at one point Egyptian soldiers intervened by forming a line between protesters and police, witnesses said, BBC informs.

Mr Kerry's departure from Cairo was delayed because hundreds of al-Ahly football supporters blocked the road to the airport demanding justice over the 2012 Port Said riot in which 74 fans died.

Read more