UK revokes export licenses for Egypt

British government limits trade with Cairo in light of ‘changing situation’ in region

19 July 2013, 4:28 pm

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Supporters of Egypt's ousted president Mohammed Morsi chant slogans against the military near Cairo University in Giza, southwest of Cairo, Egypt, last month (photo credit: AP/Manu Brabo)

LONDON (AP) — The British government has revoked five licenses allowing exports to Egypt in light of recent unrest there leading to the deaths of civilians.

Business Secretary Vince Cable says the government undertook a review of export licenses for Egypt “as a result of the changing situation.”

Egypt has witnessed street clashes and protests since the ouster of Mohammed Morsi as president.

Cable said Friday that while the government has no reports of British equipment being used in Egypt’s unrest, five individual licenses were revoked, a decision made upon advice from the Foreign Office.

It was not immediately clear what the licenses were for or who they’d been issued to. But the UK assesses all arms export licenses to ensure there is no risk goods might be used for internal repression.