TheCable

The United States has resolved to send 10 helicopters and $650 million to help Egypt in its counter-terrorism operations.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, spokeswoman of the United States State Department, Jen Psaki declared this, saying the gesture is part of efforts to lift its hold on sending military aid, money and equipment to the country.

In the near future, Paski added, $650 million would be released to Egypt, separate from the 10 choppers.

The choppers and the 650 million dollars are to help Egypt’s counter-terrorism operations in the Sinai border security and non-proliferation.

However, Psaki said releasing the $650 million would be subjected to congressional approval of documents.

She said that the documents would soon be sent to Congress by Secretary of State John Kerry; and the documents would confirm if Egypt is upholding its strategic relationship with the U.S. and maintaining its obligations under the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty.

Chuck Hagel, Egypt’s secretary of defence, informed Egypt’s defence minister, Gen. Sedki Sobhy, that U.S. does not yet believe Egypt is supporting a democratic transition.

He said it is unclear if Kerry’s “certifications” meant the US believes Morsi’s ouster was not a coup, or if the other military equipment would be delivered.

Hagel said the U.S. believes the new helicopters would help the Egyptian government counter extremists who threaten U.S., Egyptian and Israeli security.

In July 2013, the U.S. put a hold on the delivery of four F-16 fighter jets, M2A1 tanks and Apache helicopters in response to Morsi’s ouster.

The U.S. said it would then keep the lid on military deliveries and funding until it determines if Morsi’s ouster was a coup or not.