During his three-day visit, Burns will meet with interim government officials as well as civil society and business leaders in Egypt, the department said in a statement.

　　"In all these meetings, he will underscore U.S. support for the Egyptian people, an end to all violence, and a transition leading to an inclusive, democratically elected civilian government," said the statement.

　　A swift return to civilian rule has been the top concern of the Obama administration since Mohamed Morsi, the first elected president in Egypt, was removed from power by the military on July 3 on the grounds that he had failed to rein in mass protests against his "poor performance" and "mal-administration."

　　Egypt's interim President Adli Mansour outlined Monday his timetable for the transitional period, under which parliamentary elections will be held within six months, followed by fresh presidential polls.

　　Washington has not defined Morsi's ouster as a coup, enabling it to continue its annual aid of 1.55 billion U.S. dollars to the most populous Arab country.