WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is demanding that Egyptian authorities immediately halt raids on non-governmental organizations in the country, calling the action "inconsistent" with longstanding U.S-Egypt cooperation.
The State Department on Thursday expressed deep concern over the raids, which targeted the offices of at least 18 NGOs, including the U.S.-funded National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute. It called on the Egyptian government "to immediately end the harassment of NGO staff, return all property and resolve this issue."
Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the U.S. ambassador to Egypt and the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East have spoken to Egyptian officials about the situation and "made very clear that this issue needs immediate attention."
