The US Embassy in Cairo has denied reports that US Secretary of State John Kerry's recent departure from Cairo was delayed as a result of a protest by a group of Ahly football club fans, the Ultras Ahlawy.
On Sunday evening, Ahram Online published a news piece stating that Kerry's departure had been delayed for two hours because the Ultras had blocked the road leading to the Cairo International Airport.
In a statement, the embassy said that the protests by Ahly fans had not had an impact on Kerry's departure, which was delayed as a result of a prolonged meeting with President Mohamed Morsi.
While in Egypt, Kerry met with Morsi, head of Egyptian general intelligence Refaat Shehata, and defence minister Colonel General Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.
Before leaving Cairo, Kerry issued a statement urging Egyptians to brace for "hard work and compromises" with a view to "restoring stability and the Egyptian economy."
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