WASHINGTON: The White House is reluctantly preparing to accept an Egyptian government that could be a democracy in name only, two years after the U.S. supported the overthrow of its dictator in the name of democracy.

 

The U.S. is still holding out hope that Egypt's military-backed interim leaders will cede power after elections to create an inclusive government under a publicly drafted constitution.

 

The military's bloody crackdowns against political opponents this month have dampened those hopes. But the Obama administration knows it cannot afford to distance itself from even an authoritarian Egypt, a key U.S. ally, even though it could be months or years, for its government to settle from turmoil.