A spokesman for Egypt’s foreign ministry adopted a defiant tone on Wednesday in response to the United States’ announced suspension of some aid, calling the decision a mistake and issuing a scathing vow that the country would nonetheless continue its quest for democracy.
Foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty said Egypt would “not surrender to American pressure and is continuing on its path toward democracy,” in the BBC.
His statements came as U.S. authorities announced they would not deliver promised Apache helicopters, Harpoon missiles or tank parts — or a $260 million cash transfer and $300 million loan guarantee.
The State Department rushed to say the suspension was only that — temporary.
“We will continue to hold the delivery of certain large-scale military systems and cash assistance to the government pending credible progress toward an inclusive, democratically elected civilian government through free and fair elections,” said spokeswoman Jen Psaki, in BBC.
The United States made the suspension decision after reviewing recent violent incidents in Egypt. In July, the military threw President Mohammed Morsi from office in what many — but not the United States – termed a coup.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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