'Troubled' Egypt remains defiant despite US warning to cut aid

Birmingham Star (ANI) Thursday 9th February, 2012

Egypt has refused to backtrack in a row with the United States over its' onslaught on non-profit groups despite Washington's threat to cut aid.

The army is positioning more troops to reinforce the police, restore security and state 'prestige' in the troubled state following a gush in violence and protests against its rule.

The move comes after of a noxious soccer riot last week that sparked days of clashes between the police and protesters and at least 89 people were killed in a week full of violence, CBS News reports.

Egypt's military rulers are also facing an intensifying dispute with the United States over Cairo's campaign against foreign-funded pro-democracy and rights groups, which began late last year with raid by security forces on the organizations' offices.

On Sunday, Egyptian investigative judges referred 16 Americans and 27 others to trial on allegations they illicitly used overseas funds to stimulate turbulence in the country.

It immediately drew a jagged reproach from Washington, as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned that failure to resolve the dispute might lead to a loss of some 1.5 billion dollars in aid to Egypt.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland asked Egypt to free Americans, saying the 16 'have not done anything wrong.'

Egyptian authorities put the number of Americans referred to trial at 19, but Nuland on Tuesday said there are 16 Americans in the case. (ANI)