US congresswoman meets Egyptian ruler to discuss NGO spat

Relations between US and Egypt severed when Egypt charged 16 Americans working for nongovernmental organizations (NGO)’s of receiving illegal foreign funds to fuel unrest in the country and banned them from leaving.

The issue developed into the worst quarrel between the two countries in years.The tension was, however, alleviated when Egypt lifted the travel ban on the Americans, allowing them to leave the country and avoid trial.

During Pelosi’s Thursday visit to the parliamentary headquarters in Cairo, Egyptian lawmakers denounced the liberation of the Americans and demanded the release of all the Egyptians detained in US prisons.

“The military council is playing a very dangerous game and it has committed a very huge mistake by revoking this travel ban on the Americans,” said Egyptian MP, Amer Abdul Raheem.

Egypt’s Supreme Council of Armed Forces facilitated the departure of the American defendants after US lawmakers threatened their longtime ally Egypt with cutting more than USD 1.5 billion in aid.

Many Egyptians have condemned the US official's visit to Cairo along with the submission of the country's ruling junta to the United States, which they consider to be a humiliating surrender to a western power.

“What is she (Pelosi) doing here and why has our government negotiated with them. It’s a shame that our officials talk with them while dozens are being killed in Palestine and several Egyptians are detained in US prisons,” an Egyptian said.

During the meeting, Pelosi and Tantawi also discussed the transfer of power to a civilian authority after Egypt’s presidential elections, security and democracy related issues in the country and the Palestinian people's suffering from frequent Israeli aggressions.

US-backed army generals have been ruling in Egypt since the ouster of Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak back in February last year.