Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy, said relations between the United States and Egypt are in turmoil a week after President Barack Obama decided to reduce military aid to Cairo, Reuters reported.
According to Reuters, Fahmy told state newspapers that "Egypt had been dependent on the U.S. for too long," and that Washington was wrong to assume the Cairo government, now led by General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, would always follow U.S. policies.
"We are now in a delicate state reflecting the turmoil in the relationship and anyone who says otherwise is not speaking honestly," Fahmy told reporters Wednesday, according to Reuters.
Since Egypt overthrew the freely-elected President Mohammed Morsi in July, Gen. Sisi's military-backed government has killed and arrested thousands, including Morsi himself, and The Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters, all on claims of terrorism and violence, Reuters reported.
Washington has expressed that these actions are the reasoning behind the U.S.'s decision to reduce aid to the military, according to Reuters. Based on reports, Fahmy said Washington expected Egypt to abide by their democratic goals and policies because of their long-standing relationship. Egypt has criticized the decision and claims to be exploring their options in regard to military aid, threatening turn to Russia for military aid.
Since the 1979 peace treaty, Egypt has been the second-largest recipient of U.S. aid, after Israel, and has worked closely with Washington, Reuters reported. Currently, the U.S. is withholding $260 million in cash assistance to the Cairo government until progress is made toward free and fair elections and an inclusive government, Reuters reported.
Fahmy stated on Wednesday that the continued period of "instability in ties would reflect negatively on the entire region, including American interest," Reuters reported.
According to Reuters, the U.S. State Department made it clear it was not cutting off all aid and would continue military support for counterterrorism and security in the Sinai, bordering Israel, where Al Qaeda-inspired militants have stepped up attacks on soldiers and police since Morsi's overthrow.
Fahmy said he's not worried about the turmoil in relations, although it is existent, because it will be an opportunity for both sides to "evaluate their relationship in the future," Reuters reported.
