Politics
09:16, 24-Aug-2017
Egypt criticizes US for withholding 195 million USD worth of military aid
["africa","north america"]
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Egypt has criticized the US following reports that it had withheld 195 million US dollars in military aid and cut 96 million in other aid over human rights concerns.
In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry said the move – which has not yet been announced – reflected "poor judgment."
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also went ahead and cancelled a meeting with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law.
US President Donald Trump meets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in the Oval Office of the White House, April 3, 2017. /Reuters Photo
US President Donald Trump meets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in the Oval Office of the White House, April 3, 2017. /Reuters Photo
According to Reuters news agency, US officials were unhappy that a new law regulating NGOs had been ratified.
Eight civil society organizations warned in June that the legislation ushered in "unprecedented levels of repression" and would criminalize the work of many NGOs in Egypt, making it impossible for them to function independently.
Relations between Egypt and the US have been seen to rise since President Donald Trump took office, with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meeting his US counterpart twice this year already.
Prior to Trump taking charge of the White House, ties between the two nations had hit a low due to President Barack Obama's criticism of Sisi government’s human rights record.
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