Egypt Agrees to Release NGO Property, Cease Harassment: US Official
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Stockbyte/Thinkstock(CAIRO, Egypt) — According to a Senior Administration official, the U.S. Ambassador in Egypt Anne Patterson has received assurances from Egyptian authorities that they will release the property of Non-Government Organizations, including several supported by the U.S. government, that were raided in Cairo Thursday.
“The Ambassador has sought and received Egyptian leadership assurances that the raids will cease and property will be returned immediately. She has also made clear that we expect all international NGOs, including those that receive U.S. government support, be able to return to normal operations as soon as possible in support of the democratic transition underway in Egypt,” the official said.
Patterson spoke with Egypt’s new Prime Minister and military leadership Thursday and again Friday.
“Ambassador Patterson has agreed to participate in a dialogue with appropriate Egyptian authorities to resolve the underlying issues related to the operation of U.S.-supported NGOs in a transparent, open manner. These NGOs should be allowed to operate freely as they do in countries around the world in support of democracy and free elections,” the official added.
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