As the death toll climbed to at least 149, Mr Kerry made an unexpected appearance at a routine State Department briefing to address the spiralling crisis.
"The United States strongly condemns today's violence and bloodshed across Egypt," Mr Kerry said.
"It's a serious blow to reconciliation and the Egyptian people's hopes for a transition towards democracy and inclusion."
Mr Kerry called for restraint on all sides, but said the military and the interim government it installed in July had a "unique responsibility to prevent further violence".
The US strongly opposed a return to the government-declared state of emergency, he said, which would grant the security forces widespread powers to round up supporters of the ousted president Mohamed Morsi. » | Raf Sanchez, Washington | Wednesday, August 14, 2013
