US waives rights conditions on $320M Egypt aid

Secretary of State Marco Rubio waived congressional human-rights conditions on $320 million in military financing for Egypt, citing U.S. national-security interests and Cairo’s cooperation amid the conflict with Iran, including its role as a mediator. The funds are part of the roughly $1.3 billion in annual U.S. assistance to Egypt and can be used to buy U.S.-made weapons. The decision renews debate over Washington’s support for Egypt despite longstanding concerns about its human-rights record; the State Department says those issues will remain part of bilateral discussions. Waivers of the aid conditions have also been granted by previous administrations.