The United States is ready to send a "senior official" to Cairo to meet in person with president-election Morsi and members of his government, but only after the cabinet is assembled and the swearing-in ceremony takes place - probably on Saturday - the Associated Press has reported. The US government wants assurances that the military has turned over power but will "likely" extend full diplomatic recognition after the inuguration, the AP's Anne Gearan wrote.

US support for Morsi and his allies from the Muslim Brotherhood will depend in large part on how they treat the peace treaty with Israel.

"We believe it is essential for the Egyptian government to continue to fulfill Egypt's role as a pillar of regional peace, security and stability,'' White House spokesman Jay Carney said. "We will continue to emphasize this message with the new government and structure our engagement accordingly.''