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McCain calls for US to cut Egypt aid after coup

Former US presidential candidate John McCain has called for some or all of the annual $1.5 billion (£1 billion) US aid package to Egypt to be withheld if a civilian government is not quickly restored in the country.

Most of the money goes to the military under an arrangement US leaders have honoured since Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel.

The Republican Senator is among a group of Congressmen who believe the aid package should be adjusted because the latest military action in Egypt unseated a democratically elected president.

Supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi perform dawn prayers in Cairo. Credit: REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

McCain said: "Regardless of what anyone thinks about Mohamed Morsi, he was elected by a majority of Egyptians last year.



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