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US withholds Egypt military aid over crackdown | US withholds Egypt military aid over crackdown |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The US is suspending a large part of the $1.3bn (£810m) in aid it gives to Egypt's military. | The US is suspending a large part of the $1.3bn (£810m) in aid it gives to Egypt's military. |
The delivery of large-scale military systems as well as cash assistance to the Egyptian government would be withheld, said the state department. | The delivery of large-scale military systems as well as cash assistance to the Egyptian government would be withheld, said the state department. |
It said "credible progress" must be made towards free and fair elections. | It said "credible progress" must be made towards free and fair elections. |
A review was launched in August after a crackdown by the authorities on supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi left hundreds of people dead. | A review was launched in August after a crackdown by the authorities on supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi left hundreds of people dead. |
"We will continue to hold the delivery of certain large-scale military systems and cash assistance to the government pending credible progress toward an inclusive, democratically elected civilian government through free and fair elections," state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. | "We will continue to hold the delivery of certain large-scale military systems and cash assistance to the government pending credible progress toward an inclusive, democratically elected civilian government through free and fair elections," state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. |
Officials said the freeze amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars in aid. | Officials said the freeze amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars in aid. |
The US is halting the delivery of Apache helicopters, as well as Harpoon missiles and tank parts, officials said. | |
Washington also plans to halt a $260m cash transfer and a $300m loan guarantee. | |
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says the suspension of aid is more symbolic - a slap on the wrist - than a painful cut in essential aid. | The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says the suspension of aid is more symbolic - a slap on the wrist - than a painful cut in essential aid. |
The announcement had been expected, with deliveries of military hardware already halted, a military exercise cancelled, and cash aid in effect on hold since the summer, our correspondent says. | |
The US will continue to provide health and education assistance, and money to help Egypt to ensure security in the increasingly volatile Sinai peninsula. | The US will continue to provide health and education assistance, and money to help Egypt to ensure security in the increasingly volatile Sinai peninsula. |
The freeze was not intended to be permanent, the state department added. | |
Morsi on trial | Morsi on trial |
In a speech to the UN General Assembly last month, US President Barack Obama criticised Egypt's military-backed interim government for "decisions inconsistent with inclusive democracy". | In a speech to the UN General Assembly last month, US President Barack Obama criticised Egypt's military-backed interim government for "decisions inconsistent with inclusive democracy". |
However, the US has held back from labelling President Morsi's removal from power a coup. | |
Since the army ousted Mr Morsi in July, Egyptian authorities have clashed repeatedly with Muslim Brotherhood supporters. | |
In the latest round of violence, more than 50 people were killed in clashes between Morsi supporters, opponents and security forces in several cities on Sunday. | |
Thousands of members of the Muslim Brotherhood have also been detained in the past two months. | Thousands of members of the Muslim Brotherhood have also been detained in the past two months. |
Mr Morsi is set to go on trial on 4 November on charges of inciting murder and violence, state media reported on Wednesday. | Mr Morsi is set to go on trial on 4 November on charges of inciting murder and violence, state media reported on Wednesday. |
The charges relate to the deaths of at least seven people during clashes between opposition protesters and Muslim Brotherhood supporters outside a presidential palace in Cairo last year. | The charges relate to the deaths of at least seven people during clashes between opposition protesters and Muslim Brotherhood supporters outside a presidential palace in Cairo last year. |
Mr Morsi has been detained at a secret location since being deposed on 3 July. | |
After he was toppled, Gulf states including Saudi Arabia pledged $12bn (£7.5bn) to Egypt's military-backed government. | |
Saudi princes have said that if the US cuts aid to Egypt, they will increase it. |