The Biden administration is withholding USD 85 mn in military assistance to Egypt this year, but will allow the transfer of the remaining USD 235 mn of human rights-contingent aid, Reuters and the Associated Press reported Friday, citing anonymous US officials. Reuters had reported earlier in the week that the State Department had decided to block the payment of USD 85 mn of aid but that no decision had been reached regarding the USD 235 mn.

Remember: Some USD 320 mn of the USD 1.3 bn the US gives to Egypt in military aid each year is contingent on the country making improvements to its human rights situation. Of that, USD 85 mn is tied to making “clear and consistent progress” in releasing political prisoners, ensuring due process, and preventing the intimidation of US citizens. The other USD 235 mn is linked to other democracy and human rights requirements and can be overruled by the government on national security grounds.

This is more than Egypt got the previous two years: The Biden administration withheld U SD 130 mn in aid in 2021 and 2022.

In perspective: The amount withheld is less than 7% of the total USD 1.3 bn of military aid the US allocates to the country.

From Cairo to Taipei: The Biden administration told Congress it will redirect USD 55 mn of the military financing usually earmarked for Egypt to Taiwan to strengthen its defense capabilities, the Wall Street Journ al reported Wednesday.

Egypt-US talks: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry spoke over the phone with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. Diplomatic efforts to settle the crises in Sudan and Libya were discussed ahead of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York this week. The State Department’s decision on military aid was not mentioned in the readout.

ALSO IN THE DIPLO SPHERE-

#1- El Sisi meets French FM: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi discussed strengthening bilateral relations on the energy, transport and climate fronts with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on Thursday, Ittihadiya said in a statement. The meeting also touched on joint development efforts, anti-terrorism operations, and combating illegal migration, as well as regional issues including the conflicts in Palestine, Sudan, and Libya.

#2- Chinese markets open for Egyptian mango: Agriculture Minister El Sayed El Quseir inked an MoU with the Chinese Customs Vice Minister Wang Lingjun to export Egyptian mango to Chinese markets. (Agricultural Ministry statement)

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