The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Sunday that the US administration notified Egypt with the decision to reduce USA aid provided to Egypt, briefly before announcing it officially.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ahmed Abo Zaid, said that Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received the phone call from his American counterpart Rex Tillerson on the evening of Tuesday August 22, while he was in Vilnius Airport of Lithuania returning to Cairo.
“The telephone call was after the US decision has been issued, and few hours before announcing it,” said Abo Zaid.
The US decided on Wednesday 23 August to deny Egypt almost $100 million in aid and hold back another $195 million until it sees improvements on human rights issues and democracy in Egypt.
The US has given Egypt nearly $80 billion in military and economic assistance over the past 30 years and will continue to support Egypt in defeating extremists, fighting terrorism and bolstering its economy, according to CNN.
Edited Translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
