Egypt criticises US decision to suspend aid

Egypt today criticised a US decision to suspend some military and economic aid to the army-backed government in the wake of a crackdown on protesters, saying the move was wrong and it would "not surrender to American pressure"
The US temporarily freezed some of its military aid to Egypt, including deliveries of tanks, F-16 aircraft and missiles as well as USD 260 million in cash after expressing disappointment over the crackdown.
Egypt is the second-largest recipient of US aid after Israel.
Reacting to the decision, Foreign Ministry spokesman Badr Abdel Atty said "The decision was wrong in terms of content and time.

"It raises serious questions about US readiness to provide stable strategic support to Egyptian security programmes amid threats and terrorism challenges it has been facing," spokesman Badr Abdel Atty said in a statement Thursday.
Abdel Atty, who said Egypt is keen on maintaining good relations with the US, asserted that the country will not surrender to American pressure and will manage its own security needs.

"Egypt will take domestic decisions independently and without external influences and will work towards securing its vital needs...Namely those related to its national security.
The decision to freeze major military hardware deliveries was made after a Wednesday call between US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel and Egypt's military chief, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The United States, however, will keep up assistance to counter terrorism activities.
Egypt has been fighting a growing militant insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula since the army ousted former president Mohammed Morsi on July 3 following mammoth protests against his rule.
The surge in militant activity in the region has raised international concerns, as it adjoins major US ally Israel, and strands the Suez Canal, a vital global waterway between Asia and Europe.
Egypt has been engulfed in violent turmoil that has killed over 1,000 since 3 July.