The US State Department approved the potential sale of USD 99 mn-worth of ammunition to Egypt, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement yesterday. The Egyptian government had made a request for the purchase of 60,500 rounds of different types of ammo. “The proposed sale will improve Egypt's capability to meet current and future threats and provide greater security for its critical infrastructure,” as forces face off against Daesh in the Sinai. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems will be the prime contractors for the sale. US State Secretary Mike Pompeo had signed off on the release of a USD 1.2 bn military aid package to Egypt last week. The US had also released another USD 195 mn in military financing to Egypt in July, which had been frozen over human rights concerns.

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