US Secretary of State John Kerry has paid a surprise visit to Egypt after Washington released almost $600m in aid for the country, which he said was in a "critical moment".
Mr Kerry was speaking as he met new foreign minister Sameh Shoukri before talks with president Abdel Fattah al Sisi.
"Obviously this is a critical moment of transition in Egypt, enormous challenges," Mr Kerry said.
He said the US was "very interested in working closely" with the new government "in order to make this transition as rapidly and smoothly as possible".
Mr Sisi was elected as president in May After the talks Mr Kerry told journalists: "The United States remains deeply committed to seeing Egypt succeed. We want to see the people of Egypt succeed and we want to contribute to the success of Egypt."
Mr Kerry, the most senior US official to visit Egypt since Mr Sisi came to power, said he had emphasised to him "our strong support for upholding the universal rights and freedoms of all Egyptians, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association".
Since Islamist president Mohamed Morsi was toppled by Mr Sisi in July 2013, a government crackdown on his supporters has left more than 1,400 people dead in street clashes and at least 15,000 in jail.
Egypt's former president Mohamed Morsi US officials have said Washington still has deep concerns about the government's "polarising tactics", even though there was a "recognition that Egypt has been going through a very difficult transition".
Mr Kerry's visit came a day after an Egyptian court confirmed death sentences for 183 Islamists, including Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohamed Badie, after a mass trial that sparked an international outcry.
"The Secretary will discuss a variety of issues covering our bilateral relationship as well as regional issues, including Iraq, Syria, Libya, Israeli-Palestinian relations and the extremist and terror threats we all face," said State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki.
Mr Sisi's supporters celebrate his victory in the presidential vote Mr Kerry's latest diplomatic mission, which will also see him visit Amman, Brussels and Paris, is expected to focus on uniting Iraq's fractious leaders and repelling the ISIS militants who have seized cities and towns across the country.
The US officials revealed the tranche of about $572m (£336m) in aid, which had been frozen since October, was released to Cairo about 10 days ago. It will mainly be used to pay existing defence contracts.
In April the US announced it was planning to resume some of the annual $1.5bn (£880m) in mostly military aid to Egypt, including 10 Apache helicopter gunships for counter-terrorism efforts in the Sinai Peninsula.
Mr Sisi won some 97% of the vote in elections held in May and installed an interim government.
Last week, a new Egyptian cabinet led by prime minister Ibrahim Mahlab was sworn in with most ministers from the interim government still in place.
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