Egypt criticizes US decision to cut aid

Egypt criticizes a US decision to reduce financial aid and withhold some military assistance as a “misjudgment” of strategic ties between the two allies.

The foreign ministry says it “regrets the decision” to reduce some funds allocated under a US assistance program and withhold the disbursement of other military aid.

The foreign ministry calls the step a “misjudgment of the nature of the strategic relations that binds the two countries over decades,” and reflects the lack of understanding of the importance of supporting the stability and success of Egypt.”

It provided no details of the cuts, but US media reports said Washington yesterday denied Egypt $96 million in aid and delayed $195 million in military funding because of concerns over its human rights record.

— with AFP