US Aid to Egypt to be Reviewed
The Washington Post reports:
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration appealed Friday for Egyptian authorities to halt their crackdown on swelling anti-government protests, and an administration official said U.S. aid to the country would be reviewed.
The U.S. also warned citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Egypt and urged Americans in the country to stay put as the Obama administration scrambled to respond to the unfolding crisis.
The decision to review the $1.5 billion in assistance to Egypt is a significant step as the U.S. seeks to balance the desire to maintain stability in the region with a recognition of the unexpected scope and uncertain outcome of the protests aimed at toppling the authoritarian government of Hosni Mubarak. The official who disclosed the decision did so on condition of anonymity because of the delicacy of the situation.
