Obama lifts Egypt arms freeze

Obama lifts Egypt arms freeze

Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:49PM

An Egyptian air force fighter jet is seen while landing at an undisclosed location in Egypt (AFP file photo)

US President Barack Obama has lifted an arms freeze on Egypt imposed following the 2013 military ouster of the first democratically elected government.

During a Tuesday phone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the US president announced that he would allow 12 F-16 aircraft, 20 Harpoon missiles, and 125 M1A1 tank kits to be delivered to Cairo.

Obama also said he would continue his support for $1.3 billion in annual military assistance.

“The president explained that these and other steps will help refine our military assistance relationship so that it is better positioned to address the shared challenges to US and Egyptian interests in an unstable region, consistent with the longstanding strategic partnership between our two countries,” the White House said in a statement.

The aid, which will start in fiscal year 2018, consists of four parts: counterterrorism, border security, Sinai security, and maritime security.

“In this way, we will ensure that US funding is being used to promote shared objectives in the region, including a secure and stable Egypt and the defeat of terrorist organizations,” said US National Security Council Spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan in a statement.

The announcement comes at a time that Egypt has engaged in an aggression on Yemen led by Saudi Arabia.

Cairo has even said that it may send ground troops to the impoverished country to back Saudi warplanes’ air raids.

However, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, described the move as "the right thing to do", saying, "We encourage the government of Egypt to continue its democratic process.  But Egypt is also a strong regional ally. Maintaining that relationship must be a priority for the US.”

On July 3, 2013, then army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced that President Mohamed Morsi was no longer in office.

Morsi is currently in custody along with several other members of his Muslim Brotherhood party.

NT/NT