WASHINGTON D.C.
The U.S. will release some of its annual $1.3 billion military assistance package to Egypt, the Defense Department confirmed on Tuesday, after finding the Arab nation is maintaining its peace accord with Israel.
During a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said that Egypt was found to be holding to its strategic relationship with the United States and meeting its obligations under its peace treaty with Israel.
The decision allows for the release of the 10 Apache attack helicopters to Egypt.
In a separate phone call on Tuesday, America’s top diplomat informed Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy that he is certifying to Congress that Egypt is “sustaining the strategic relationship with the United States” and upholdings its obligations under the 1979 peace accord with Israel.
But Kerry noted that he is not yet able to certify that Cairo is following through on its democratic transition. He urged Egyptian authorities to follow through on democratic reforms saying that Egypt will be more secure if its respects the rights of its citizens.
The aid was delayed last October following the Egyptian military’s ouster of democratically elected former President Mohammed Morsi.
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