The United States is ready to deal with any government elected by the Egyptian people, Senator John Kerry said after meeting Egypt's de facto ruler Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Al Ahram reported.
Egypt is currently going through its first parliamentary elections since the ouster of autocratic president Hosni Mubarak in January amid expectations that Islamists will gain the lion's share of seats in the lower house.
The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) has already swept the first stage of the complicated election process. Salafist party El-Nour, which espouses an ultra-conservative brand of Islam, came second in the votes tally.
The final outcome of the election will not be known until other parts of the country vote in two more rounds, a process that will not be complete until 11 January.
"The choices of the Egyptian people should be accepted," said Kerry, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
"Washington will deal with any government that is chosen and elected by its people, but it's natural that we do not agree on everything.
"Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance which respects all people," he added, apparently defusing concerns among Egypt's liberals and seculars that Islamists might try to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law if they assumed power.
Kerry also warned against amending the 32-year-old peace treaty with Israel.
Israel's relationship with Egypt was strained after its embassy in Cairo was stormed by protesters in September.
"Any changes in the treaty will affect the economical stability in Egypt," Kerry added.
...