US Secretary of State John Kerry has called for an end to all violence in Egypt and urged moves to full democracy on his first visit to the country since President Mohammed Morsi was ousted.
"History has demonstrated that democracies are more stable, viable and prosperous than any alternative," he told a news conference.
"With stability comes tourism and investment, and with both come jobs."
He said the US was committed to working with Egypt's military-backed rulers.
Mr Kerry's visit to Cairo was not disclosed by US officials until he landed. It is the first time a US secretary of state has travelled to Egypt on a visit that is unannounced for security reasons.
The BBC's Kim Ghattas, travelling with Mr Kerry, says it is the kind of precaution that characterises trips by US officials to countries like Afghanistan and Iraq.
This is a sign of US concerns about continued instability in the country, but it is also a reaction to the high level of anti-American feeling in Egypt, our correspondent says.
On his six-hour stop Mr Kerry was meeting the interim leaders that assumed control following Mr Morsi's removal in July - President Adly Mahmud Mansour, Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi, Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy and army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
It is the first stage of a nine-day tour that will take in Middle Eastern and North African countries, as well as Poland.
'Difficult time'
Former President Morsi goes on trial on Monday.
His supporters say he was removed in a coup and is now facing a politicised trial. Human rights groups accuse the security services of acting without accountability.
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