Clinton meets with new Egyptian president

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday made her first visit to Egypt since the inauguration of President Mohamed Morsi two weeks ago, saying the U.S. backs democratic rule in the nation.

Clinton met Morsi in the highest level meeting so far between a U.S. official and a Muslim Brotherhood politician, with Clinton reiterating American backing for Egypt, Reuters reported.

The secretary of state was scheduled to meet Sunday with the head of the council of generals that oversaw the transition from Hosni Mubarak’s three decades of rule.

Morsi has been in a power struggle with leaders of the Egyptian army, which moved to limit power of the new civilian president just ahead of his election.

Before Clinton arrived in Egypt, U.S. officials said she would both sides to work together to finish the nation’s transition to democratic rule. U.S. officials also said Egypt’s generals have brushed off American pressure, including a threatened end to $1.5 billion in economic assistance to Egypt, including $1.3 billion in military aid, the New York Times reported.