WASHINGTON (AA) - US Department of State spokesperson Marie Harf has confirmed US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns's Monday night meeting with detained Deputy Guide of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood Khairat al-Shater in Cairo.
During daily press conference Harf said along with the foreign ministers of the U.A.E. and Qatar and EU Special Representative Bernadino Leon, Burns visited al-Shater.
"The visit was conducted in the context of ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further violence, calm tensions, and facilitate an inclusive dialogue among Egyptians that can help the transition to a democratically elected civilian government. I would also underscore that this meeting was done with the cooperation of the Egyptian authorities," said Harf.
Regarding the context of the visit, Harf said Burns was making the same points that US had made repeatedly that it was encouraging the Egyptians to be part of an inclusive process that included the Muslim Brotherhood.
She added Burns aimed meeting with a wide range of Egyptians to talk to them about how the US could assist them in process of calming tensions and moving forward with an inclusive process.
"Burns is sending the message that we’ve been saying all along, that there is an incentive for the Muslim Brotherhood to be a part of an inclusive process, that it’s best for the people of Egypt, it’s best for the process and for the Muslim Brotherhood to be a part of it going forward."
Asked whether he would meet ousted president Mohamed Morsi or not, Harf said Burns did not have plans to meet with him but left the door open for a future meeting.
Burns, arrived in Cairo on August 2, is on his second visit to Egypt after the ouster of Morsi.
