Democrat Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Appropriation Subcommittee responsible for aid programs, said on Tuesday that he would not approve aid for the Egyptian army.
"I am not prepared to approve additional assistance to the Egyptian army unless we see convincing evidence of the Egyptian government's commitment to the rule of law," he said.
Leahy's statement comes amidst a court verdict sentencing 683 people to death, including Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie. The case documents were referred to the Grand Mufti for review as required by law for execution.
Congress is currently in the process of approving $650 million in military aid as part of the 2014 US aid budget for Egypt.
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a press briefing on 24 April that the total 2014 aid budget for Egypt would be US$1.5 billion, including $1.3 billion in military aid, $200 million in economic aid and more than $7 million in security assistance programs, such as military training, drug control, law enforcement, prevention of nuclear weapons, fighting terrorism and removal of landmines.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
