US stays out of Egyptian political fray

Ongoing political issues in Egypt are matters for lawmakers there to decide in a way that adheres to democratic norms, a U.S. official said. Members of the Egyptian Parliament met Tuesday for a brief session despite a decision by a court to uphold the assembly's dissolution. Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi had called for a reinstatement of Parliament last weekend. Despite democratic reforms, Egyptian power centers are still dominated by divisions between civilian and military leaders. Cairo was praised for taking key democratic steps, though there are concerns about the transition process. Patrick Ventrell, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said meetings between Morsi and Deputy Secretary of State William Burns were constructive. Ventrell said Washington is monitoring Egyptian political developments closely but stressed they are largely internal matters. "These issues are for Egyptians to decide in a manner that respects democratic principles and the transition process, and is transparent and protects the rights of all Egyptians," he told reporters during a regular news briefing. Speaker of Parliament Saad al-Katatni said Tuesday he'd refer the court ruling to an appeals court, Egyptian news agency al-Ahram reported.