UK government under pressure to halt Egypt aid
UK foreign secretary William Hague is being urged by opposition Labour to convene an emergency meeting of European Union foreign ministers, Rajeev Syal reports, which could halt aid to Egypt:
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander has also asked Hague to urge the US to suspend military assistance, saying the west should use “any lever” available to show that actions like yesterday’s crackdown could not be tolerated.
In November following the election of Mohamed Morsi, the European Union pledged nearly 5 billion euros in loans and grants for 2012-2013 plus potential loans through the European Investment Bank of up to one billion euros a year.
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“That’s why there should be a convening of EU foreign ministers; that’s why I believe it is right for the British Government to urge the Americans to suspend aid while their review is taken forward.”
Asked if EU aid should be suspended, he said: “Any lever available to make clear that there is not an approach of impunity towards the authorities in Egypt has to be taken now, given the appalling bloodshed that we witnessed yesterday.
see 4.08 BST / 48 minutes ago here
http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2013/aug/15/egypt-pro-morsi-protests-crackdown-live