US senators call for suspending aid to Egypt

Republicans John McCain and Lindsey Graham say interim government, military taking country 'down a dark path'

US Senator John McCain, left, talks with Senator Lindsey Graham on Capitol Hill in Washington in July .(photo credit: AP/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON — Two Republican senators are calling on the Obama administration to suspend US aid amid spiraling violence in Egypt.

Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham traveled to Egypt last week at President Barack Obama’s request. McCain and Graham said Friday the interim government and the military are, quote, “taking Egypt down a dark path, one that the United States cannot and should not travel with them.”

Their statement comes amid reports of scores more deaths, as supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi launched demonstrations in defiance of a military-imposed state of emergency.

More than 600 people died Wednesday.

Obama announced Thursday he is scrapping plans for joint US-Egypt military exercises. But the president stopped well short of withholding $1.3 billion in annual US military aid.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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