The Biden administration has granted Egypt $1.3 billion in military aid, overriding conditions set in place over ongoing concerns about human rights in the country, according to a State Department spokesperson, a decision that was made in hopes of persuading Cairo to intensify its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas.
“This decision is important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to US national security priorities, particularly to finalize a ceasefire agreement for Gaza, bring the hostages home, surge humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in need, and help bring an enduring end to the Israel-Hamas conflict,” the spokesperson said.
Of the $1.3 billion allocated to the US ally, $320 million “is subject to conditions that have meant at least some of that sum has been withheld in recent years,” per Reuters. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government has been plagued with human rights violation accusations including torture and enforced disappearances. Sisi had denied that Egypt is holding political prisoners and said his government takes security, stability, and basic needs for his citizens seriously.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress he would override a human rights certification requirement for $225 million aid for Egypt citing “the US national security interest,” the spokesperson stated via email.
This Story originally came from humanevents.com
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