Egypt has criticized the United States following reports that it had withheld $195 million in military aid and cut $96 million in other aid over human rights concerns.
In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry said the move – which has not yet been announced – reflected “poor judgment”.
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also went ahead and cancelled a meeting with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
According to Reuters news agency, US officials were unhappy that a new law regulating NGO’s had been ratified.
Eight civil society organizations warned in June that the legislation ushered in “unprecedented levels of repression” and would criminalize the work of many NGOs in Egypt, making it impossible for them to function independently.
Relations between Egypt and the United States have been seen to rise since President Donald Trump took office, with President Sisi meeting his US counterpart twice this year already.
Previously, ties between the two nations was not good due to President Barack Obama’s criticism of President Sisi government’s human rights record.
