US suspends delivery of F-16s to Egypt
Pentagon says Obama stalled scheduled transfer of F-16s to Egypt citing 'overall situation' in Arab state
"Just given the overall situation in Egypt right now we thought it prudent to make this decision," spokesperson George Little told reporters, adding that it ultimately was Obama's decision.
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"We remain committed to the US-Egypt defense relationship as it remains a foundation of our broader strategic partnership with Egypt and serves as a pillar of regional stability," he said.
Little said there is no timetable for proceeding with the delivery of four F-16s under a previously arranged sale to Egypt, and he was not specific about the reasons for delaying it.
"Just given the overall situation in Egypt right now we thought it prudent to make this decision,"
Video courtesy of jn1.tv
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel informed Egypt's army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of the decision in a phone call earlier Wednesday, Little said.
The Egyptian army chief, who led a coup on July 3 that ousted president Mohamed Morsi, called for mass protests on Wednesday to back a crackdown on what he called "terrorism and violence" by Morsi supporters.
Sisi's appeal also was discussed in Hagel's phone call to the general, according to Little, who did not offer more details.
The Pentagon did not say specifically why it made the decision to delay the delivery of the fighter jets but said the US government wanted to see Egypt move quickly towards democratic rule.
"Moving forward, everything we do and say will continue to be focused on hastening Egypt's return to a democratically elected government as soon as possible, consistent with our legal requirements and our national security interests," he said.
Coup?
The US decision, however, did not signal that President Barack Obama's administration had concluded that Morsi was pushed out in a coup, Little said.
The administration has refrained from saying Morsi was the victim of a coup, which would legally require a freeze on some $1.5 billion in US military and economic assistance to Cairo.
US officials were still reviewing whether events in Egypt could be labeled a coup, Little said.
Under a $2.5 billion deal signed in 2010, the United States is committed to providing 20 F-16 fighters to Egypt. Four jets were delivered earlier this year and four more F-16s were due to be shipped over in coming weeks.
Despite the decision to delay delivery, the United States would go ahead with a planned joint military exercise with Egypt, Little said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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