Washington will not sign a “blank check”, whether for close allies or rivals, when it comes to “values ​​and principles,” US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, expressing concern about the human rights situation in Egypt. Price’s comments came during a press conference on Thursday, when he responded to a question about US arms deals to Egypt and the human rights situation in the country. Price said that the Blinken did raise the issue of human rights with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry. According to Price, Washington is “deeply concerned” over the human rights situation in Egypt, including restrictions on civil society, freedom of expression, and arrests. Price stressed that US officials were raising these issues with Egyptian officials “openly and perhaps personally”.

Source: Egypt Independent March 12, 2021 15:19 UTC