DHAKA: Cairo’s most important Western allies plan to send low-level representatives to Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s presidential inauguration, officials said, a diplomatic snub meant to convey ongoing concerns about the state of Egyptian democracy.

The government that Sisi installed after he removed the Muslim Brotherhood from power last July has been accused of widespread human rights abuses against the Islamist movement as well as secular activists.

A United States official said Washington would send Thomas Shannon, counselor to Secretary of State John Kerry, to the inauguration on Sunday, reports The Straits Times.

On Wednesday, the United States said it looked forward to working with Sisi but reiterated concerns about limits on freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.

BDST: 0441 HRS, JUNE 06, 2014